Oak Cottage

The following is CQC's published account of its assessment, published 15 August 2025. References to “we” mean CQC. It describes findings at that time.

Oak Cottage is a residential care home supporting autistic people, people with a learning disability and people with a mental health condition. An assessment has been undertaken of a specialist service that is used by autistic people or people with a learning disability. This was a planned assessment due to concerns raised in the providers previous assessment.

We have assessed the service against ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ guidance to make judgments 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.

The provider was previously in breach of legal regulations in relation to safe care and treatment and good governance. Improvements were found at this assessment, and the provider was no longer in breach of these regulations. Evidence showed changes had been implemented, including strengthened leadership, updated systems, and improved outcomes for people using the service. While improvements had been made, some concerns remained regarding environmental safety and infection prevention and control (IPC). The provider was responsive to feedback and promptly addressed these concerns.

People were treated with compassion, and their dignity was consistently upheld. Respectful and safe support was observed in communal areas. Each person’s support plan was tailored to how they chose to spend their time and their wishes and preferences.

Leaders and staff shared a clear vision rooted in trust, listening, and learning. The registered manager and deputy manager were visible, knowledgeable, and supportive, encouraging staff development. Staff felt safe to provide feedback.

There were enough staff with the right skills, qualifications, and experience. Managers ensured staff received appropriate training. Staff were knowledgeable about managing risks and provided effective support. Medicines were managed and administered safely, with people involved in decisions about any changes to their medication.

People and their relatives were actively involved in assessing their needs. Staff took account of communication preferences to ensure meaningful engagement. People knew how to provide feedback and were confident it would be taken seriously and acted upon.

The provider was easy to contact and worked to prevent discrimination. Everyone was treated fairly and equally. Staff had training and used inclusive practices to help reduce differences in people’s health and care. People were supported to make informed decisions about their care, including their right to decline or withdraw from it. Where restrictions on liberty were in place, these were appropriately assessed and discussed with people.

The provider worked in partnership with other professionals to ensure people received the healthcare they needed.

Professional partners provided highly positive feedback, highlighting the providers strong responsiveness in reporting incidents. They told us the provider followed professional advice well and had implemented support plans proactively, with noticeable improvements in people’s outcomes, particularly in developing independent living skills. Communication and partnership working had significantly improved, and staff were described as approachable, caring, and supportive of both people and their families.