Stepping Stones Red Marley

The following is CQC's published account of its assessment, published 20 November 2025. References to “we” mean CQC. It describes findings at that time.

Date of Assessment: 15 September to 6 October 2025. The service is a nursing home providing support to adults of all ages living with learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder or mental health conditions. Stepping Stones Red Marley provides care to a maximum of 19 people. At the time of the assessment 18 people were receiving care. This was a responsive inspection based on information received and length of time since the previous assessment.

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 that most people take for granted. We found that although the provider did not meet all elements of this guidance they had worked hard to create a service that suited the needs of the individuals, supported and balanced choice with safety.

The provider had a good learning culture and people could raise concerns. Staff understood what could increase people’s anxieties and managed risks well. The facilities and equipment met people’s needs, although the service needed redecoration and updating.

There were sufficient staff deployed to meet people's needs. Staff were recruited safely and had effective training, support and supervision. Medicines were mostly administered safely but some areas of improvement were noted around storage and monitoring.

People’s needs were assessed and regularly reviewed. People and those important to them were involved in decisions about their care. External professionals working with the service praised the registered manager and staff for the care they provided to people who had complex support needs.

Staff ensured people’s care and support met individual needs and preferences. Staff told us they enjoyed working at the home. Care records were person centred and identified what was important to and for the person. Staff knew people well.

There was a system in place for responding to concerns or complaints. People’s individual communication methods were identified and respected. The home was well run and managed. There was a range of quality monitoring and auditing in place. There was a commitment to providing person centred care, valuing people who lived at the home and the staff team. Staff were able to raise concerns and told us the registered manager was approachable and supportive.