SENSE – 129 Neale Avenue

“This inspection took place between the dates 4th June 2026 to 26th June 2026. It was carried out by an Inspector, an expert by experience, and a remote medicines inspector.”

“This service was previously rated as good. We carried out this assessment to confirm whether the rating of good remains accurate. This report does not provide detailed information on areas where we found practice continues to meet a good standard.”

“We reviewed a range of peoples care records, risk assessments, and reviews. We looked at staff records, and a range of policies including those related to medicines, and safeguarding. We spoke to staff, the registered manager, and relatives of people who lived at the home. We obtained opinions from external stakeholders e.g. Local authorities for their opinion of the home.”

“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 the respect, equality, dignity, choices, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted.”

“Safe:”

“Staff made sure people understood their care and treatment to enable them to give informed consent if they were able to do so. People can only be deprived of their liberty to receive care and treatment with appropriate legal authority. In care homes, this can be done through a procedure called the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), which is part of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). We checked whether the service was working within the principles of the MCA and how they managed DoLS within the service. We found that staff and management worked within the MCA. DoLS authorisations were appropriately applied for and overseen. People were not subject to unlawful or excessive restrictions, and where possible, they had choice, control and freedom over their lives. People’s risks were assessed regularly and managed safely. People were supported to take risks in a positive and supportive way.”

“People told us they felt their relatives were safe, and we observed people acting relaxed and calm with their carers. One relative told us their family member visited them and “Wouldn’t be willing to go back if they didn’t feel safe. (They) are always happy to go home’’”

“Care and support were delivered in a safe, clean, well-equipped and well-maintained environment. One relative told us, “I found the home to be clean, tidy, and well-maintained".”

“Relatives knew how to give feedback and were confident the provider took it seriously and acted on it. Staff told us that “they felt confident to report any problems and the manager would look into them”. The service was easy to access and worked to eliminate discrimination. People received fair and equal care and treatment. Staff worked to reduce health and care inequalities using training and feedback to support them.”

“Safe staff recruitment and training procedures were in place. Other pre-employment checks were in place including DBS checks. A relative told us “They’ve taken the time to choose staff. The warmth of the place feels like a home’’”

“People were supported with their medicines and received their prescribed medicines by staff trained and assessed as competent to do so. We observed medication being given safely and in line with procedures.”

“Effective:”

“People, where possible, were involved in assessments of their needs with relatives also being involved from the beginning. Staff…”