Our current view of the service
Updated
24 November 2025
Date of Assessment: 03 to 12 December 2025. The service provides care and support to people in ‘supported living’ settings. This means people receive personal care and support to live in shared houses or their own home as independently as possible. In supported living settings, people's care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at people's personal care and support. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. The service supported adults and children with learning disabilities and or autism, mental health conditions, physical disabilities, sensory impairments and substance misuse. This was the service’s first assessment. We reviewed all quality statements. We rated this service overall as outstanding. At the time of our inspection, 2 people were receiving the regulated activity of personal care.
The provider had clear aims in providing person centred care which promoted positive outcomes for people and enhanced their quality of life. People were supported by staff who knew them well and worked in line with the providers values. Recruitment, bespoke training and regular supervision ensured staff were skilled and knowledgeable. Staff followed best practice models and guidance. This meant staff supported people with understanding of their needs and compassion. Risks were managed effectively, whilst promoting people’s choices and offering new experiences. Incidents were reported and reviewed, with a focus on reduction. The provider shared learning and communicated well with professionals and families at all times. Effective governance systems monitored and assessed the quality and safety of the service and ensured areas were continually identified for innovation and development. The service ensured people could communicate their needs and wishes in individual ways and staff were attuned to these. The service was creative in ensuring information was presented to people in ways they understood.
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. People received person centred care which enabled them to participate and fully enjoy daily life. Staff knew people’s interests, routines and preferences. People were enabled to make their own decisions and choices. People were respected and valued as individuals. Care plans were accurate and described people’s communication needs. People were supported with their goals and to achieve positive outcomes in both their health and well-being. People were supported to access and be part of their local community. Risks were assessed and positively managed. Leaders were supportive and responsive. The service made positive impacts in people’s lives, by enabling people to develop their relationships, interests and skills.
People's experience of the service
Updated
24 November 2025
People’s relatives gave positive feedback about the exceptionally personalised support their family member received from Leaf Somerset and the impact this care had on people’s lives. People had often previously had negative experiences of care which had not met their needs or had lived experiences of care breakdowns. People were supported holistically, with care being developed around them as an individual. The service was thorough in gathering known information about the person and working with a range of professionals as well as internal specialist staff to provide bespoke care. People received support from staff who were caring, well trained and focused on providing high-quality person-centred care.
Relatives shared how the service ensured people felt safe and risks were positively managed. This meant people were supported with their independence and to try new experiences. Where there were known risks, strategies managed these and were adapted as risks changed. Relatives told us the service were open when things had not gone as planned or issues were identified. The service reflected to ensure lessons were learnt and were innovative in ways to develop people’s support.
People were supported by a consistent team of skilled and knowledgeable staff. Staff ensured they worked with people in line with their agreed care plan to achieve positive outcomes. A family member said, “I know them [staff] really well and we communicate daily.” Peoples care plans contained specific details about how they should be supported, including how staff should approach them in different situations. This meant that staff always understood and anticipated how best to support people to minimise or prevent distress. People could rely on staff to always ensure they were able to thrive and meet their potential.
People were supported to be able to communicate their needs and wishes in their preferred way. Bespoke training for staff around the individuals they supported ensured staff understood what people were expressing. The service focused on establishing meaningful relationships with the person, developing trust and working in partnership with families and other professionals.
People were supported to access opportunities that enhanced their independence and expand on personal goals that previously seemed out of reach. People could be assured that staff would identify new potential opportunities based on conversations and interests and work with the person to make these a reality. This meant people had achieved new skills, been able to access new activities and develop their relationships. People’s individual aspirations and goals were regularly monitored and reviewed. Small changes to the way people were supported had resulted in meaningful impacts for the person.
The service communicated regularly with people’s families and ensured they were involved in people’s care. Relatives were fully involved and able to contribute feedback and ideas. Relatives shared examples of the impact the support had on their family member in terms of their health, well-being, achievements and happiness.