Nichols House

Nichols House, in Bedford, is a small care home supporting autistic people and people with a learning disability, with two people using the service at the time of assessment. The CQC rated it Requires Improvement overall, finding breaches relating to safe care and treatment and to governance. Inspectors found that systems were not always effective in managing risks around medicines, restrictive practices, environmental safety and care planning, and an action plan has been requested.

On the positive side, inspectors found people were supported by staff who knew them well and delivered person-centred care. Relatives described the service as caring, with people happy and settled, and staff spoke positively about feeling supported by leaders.