Summer Wood Residential Care Home

“Who the service is for”

“This is a specialist service for people with a learning disability. We have 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 that most people take for granted.”

“Key findings”

“We carried out this assessment on 2 and 9 July 2026. 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. Instead, our findings focus on any areas where the service needs to improve or where we found exceptional practice.”

“A small team of safely recruited staff worked closely with the provider to support people. Staff completed a range of training to provide them with the skills and knowledge to provide tailored and effective support. This included training on supporting people with a learning disability. The provider provided ongoing training on site including an induction for new staff. Staff were positive about the training provided and told us the staffing arrangements were suitable and safe, and this included working on their own at night and some evenings. They said, “There are enough staff and I am fine working on my own, the manager is always available. There is a lot of useful training online and we are offered health and social care training.””

“Medicines were handled safely and people received their prescribed medicines at the correct times. Staff competencies were assessed and practice seen was safe. Medicines were stored in a locked cupboard and the provider confirmed that the temperature of this area would be monitored in the future to ensure medicines were stored at a safe temperature.”

“Staff were confident on how to react to any accident or incident. They understood how to recognise any safeguarding issue and how to respond and report them. Risks to safety and health were assessed and responded to. People were not restricted and were supported to take risks. For example, People were able to use the stairs, and use knifes in the kitchen with the support of care staff. A staff member told us, “We know there are environmental risks for people we always guide them on the stairs.””

“The environment at Summer Wood Care Home was very homely and well maintained. However, we noted systems in place did not fully support the provision of a safe environment. For example, the findings of a fire risk assessment had not been fully addressed and ways to ensure the provision of safe water for bathing had not been fully established. These concerns were identified to the provider who addressed them immediately.”

“Before coming to live at the service people were able to spend time in the service with staff and people as part of the assessment process. This ensured suitability for them and people already living at the service. The provider said, “It is vital that any new person spends time with us all and everyone here is involved to make sure they all get along.”People’s health and emotional needs were assessed and responded to. Supporting people to receive appropriate care and treatment. For example, people attended the dentist regularly and were supported to promote oral hygiene with additional recommended treatments.”

“The provider ensured people had maximum choice and control over their lives and said everyone had capacity to make choices for themselves…”