Holly Cottage

“Date of Assessment: 18 December 2024 and 15 January 2025. The service is a care home and provides support to people with a learning disability and autistic people, as well as those living with physical disabilities and sensory needs. There were 9 people in receipt of accommodation and personal care living at the service at the time our assessment. We conducted an announced site assessment on the 18 December 2024, and an unannounced out of hours assessment on the 15 January 2025. We assessed the service against ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ guidance to make judgements about whether the provider guaranteed people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices, independence and good access to local communities. Care plans were often contradictory, and not always clear about people’s needs. We found some risks had not been identified and mitigated. This placed people at possible risk of harm. People were not always involved in assessments of their needs and their ability to consent to care and treatment had not always been assessed appropriately. People had enough to eat and drink to stay healthy, although some health care plans required further detail to ensure people’s needs were fully met. Care was person-centred and promoted people’s dignity and privacy. The service was clean and well-maintained. Staff told us they felt valued and supported. There were enough skilled staff. Staff managed medicines well and worked well in partnership with professionals. However, some processes were not robust and required review. The provider did not always have a good learning culture, but people told us that they could raise concerns. We found gaps in processes; however, the service had started taking steps to improve governance systems. The provider was in breach of legal regulations relating to consent, safe care and treatment and good governance. We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns we found.”