Rated Care Homes

STEPS

O

Outstanding

Rated on

Rating from the Care Quality Commission.

At a glance

  • 3 ratings

    Its last inspection improved it from Good to Outstanding.

  • 5 months

    since the latest rating was published.

  • 5 of 45

    rated home care services in Doncaster are rated Outstanding, like this one.

STEPS: inspection record

Home care, Doncaster

Rated Outstanding in May 2026, up from Good.

STEPS: inspection record: inspection ratings by year, 2015 to 2026
201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026
Overall
Safe
Effective
Caring
Responsive
Well-led

Ratings published by the Care Quality Commission.

What inspectors found

From the Care Quality Commission's assessment published 29 May 2026 (assessment visit 8 April 2026). Quoted under the Open Government Licence.

Date of Assessment: 21 April to 30 April 2026. STEPS (Short Term Enablement Programme) provide care and support for up to 6 weeks, to people living in their own homes. The service aims to help people regain confidence and independence with daily living tasks such as, personal care, medication management and meal preparation, following an hospital admission. At the time of this inspection there were 89 people using the service. We carried out an assessment looking at all the quality statements and all key questions. Our decision to inspect the service was due to the age of the rating. At our last assessment the service was rated good, and the provider obtained a rating of outstanding in the responsive key question. At this inspection the provider had continued to excel and is now rated outstanding.

  • Safe Good
  • Effective Outstanding
  • Caring Good
  • Responsive Outstanding
  • Well-led Outstanding
Read the rest of CQC's summary

The service remained highly responsive, consistently implementing care packages in a timely and effective manner. Support was delivered in a way that promoted people’s independence and enabled them to develop confidence and essential daily living skills. The team had skills to deliver support that was creative achieving extremely positive outcomes. Person-centred care was treated as a priority, with support delivered in line with people’s personal choices, preferences, and desired outcomes. Staff proactively identified and removed barriers to care. Everyone using the service received fair and equal access to opportunities, interventions and advice.

The service provided people with excellent safe and effective support. Risks associated with people’s care were identified and managed to keep people safe. Staff received training and support to ensure they were competent in delivering the service effectively. Accidents and incidents were analysed and action taken to mitigate future safety events. Lessons were learnt when things went wrong and procedures put in place to ensure the service developed. The management team consisted of excellent leaders who were passionate and motivated and mentored a strong staff team.

People received support from staff who were kind, caring and understood their needs and preferences. Staff wellbeing was promoted through training, supervision and supportive management arrangements.

People’s needs were assessed and constantly reviewed to ensure people received appropriate support to give them excellent opportunities to regain their independence. The service worked extremely effective with other healthcare professionals, sharing information appropriately. Support was provided in line with current best guidance and involved people, relatives and professionals to support consistently positive outcomes.

The management team ensured the providers values were maintained, and people were at the centre of the service. Leaders were visible, remarkably knowledgeable and supportive, helping staff develop in their roles and reach their full potential. Staff felt extremely supported to give feedback and were treated equally, free from bullying or harassment. Staff understood their roles and responsibilities and were constantly passionate about providing a positive experience for people.

  1. Safe

    Good

    Safe – this means we looked for evidence that people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. At our last assessment we rated this key question good. At this assessment the rating has remained good. This meant people were safe and protected from avoidable harm.

  2. Effective

    Outstanding

    Effective – this means we looked for evidence that people’s care, treatment and support achieved good outcomes and promoted a good quality of life, based on best available evidence. At our last assessment we rated this key question good. At this assessment the rating has changed to outstanding. This meant people’s outcomes were consistently better than expected compared to similar services. People’s feedback described it as exceptional and distinctive.

  3. Caring

    Good

    Caring – this means we looked for evidence that the provider involved people and treated them with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect. At our last assessment we rated this key question good. At this assessment the rating has remained good. This meant people were supported and treated with dignity and respect; and involved as partners in their care.

  4. Responsive

    Outstanding

    Responsive – this means we looked for evidence that the provider met people’s needs.At our last assessment we rated this key question outstanding. At this assessment the rating has remained outstanding. This meant services were tailored to meet the needs of individuals and delivered to ensure flexibility, choice and continuity of care.

  5. Well-led

    Outstanding

    Well-led – this means we looked for evidence that service leadership, management and governance assured high-quality, person-centred care; supported learning and innovation; and promoted an open, fair culture. At our last assessment we rated this key question good. At this assessment the rating has changed to outstanding. This meant service leadership was exceptional and distinctive. Leaders and the culture they created drove and improved high-quality, person-centred care.

Questions to ask the service

  1. Ask to see the most recent Care Quality Commission (CQC) report and what the service did about any points in it.
  2. Ask how visit times are agreed and who covers when your usual carer is away.

Registration details

Registered manager
Lisa Rockliff
Registered with the CQC since
What it provides
Domiciliary care service
Who it supports
Dementia, Older People

Inspection report

Read the full inspection report (opens the Care Quality Commission website)

2 inspection reports, latest 31 October 2017. Latest assessment published 29 May 2026; the Care Quality Commission's newer assessments are published on its website rather than as reports.

The rating is the Care Quality Commission's. We show it as published and do not change it.

Who runs it

Ownership type
Organisation

Doncaster City Council runs 5 services, all in Yorkshire and the Humber. 5 are rated Good or Outstanding.

Other services run by Doncaster City Council

  1. O
    Ammersall Court Outstanding. Care home, Doncaster
  2. G
    Eden Lodge Good. Care home, Doncaster
  3. G
    Positive Step Good. Care home, Doncaster
  4. G
    Wickett Hern Road Good. Care home, Doncaster

Getting help from City of Doncaster Council

The council can assess what care someone needs and tell them what help with the cost they may get.

Checked on the council's website, November 2026.

Common questions

Does STEPS provide nursing care?
The Care Quality Commission's register does not list nursing care for STEPS.
When was STEPS last inspected?
The Care Quality Commission's latest rating for STEPS was published on 29 May 2026.
Who runs STEPS?
STEPS is run by Doncaster City Council. It runs 5 services, all in Yorkshire and the Humber.
What is STEPS's CQC rating?
Its overall rating from the Care Quality Commission is Outstanding, published on 29 May 2026.