A care home for people with learning disabilities and autism has been rated ‘outstanding’ by the health watchdog.
The CQC’s first inspection of Woodrow House, in Stockport, found residents ‘live as full a life as possible’, enjoying choice, control and independence.
Its report says people at the Heaton Moor home are happy, safe and receive care tailored to their own specific needs and preferences.
They are also protected from risk of abuse and harm by staff who ‘understood how to recognise and respond to concerns’.
Praising the service – which caters for up to nine residents – it adds there is ‘an excellent understanding of seeing each person as an individual, with their own social and cultural diversity, values and beliefs’.
Highly trained staff are also said to demonstrate ‘passion and commitment’ in helping people achieve their goals and aspirations – adhering to ‘key values’ of kindness, respect and compassion.
Care for new arrivals at the home, in Brownsville Road, is described as ‘meticulously planned and progressed at a pace to suit each person’.
The report adds: “People received highly detailed and individualised communication plans to support their decision making.
“This ensured they had access to appropriate information in a format they could understand. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible.”
Residents and families say that ‘without exception’ staff were kind and attentive – and this was backed up by inspectors’ observations.
“We saw they were polite, respectful and showed compassion to people in their care,” adds the report.
One person told CQC officials ‘the staff listen to me and try to guide me in my life, while another added ‘I like the staff who help me. They treat me well’.
Some residents had previously been living in hospital – one of whom now goes into the local community twice weekly, having only been permitted to leave his accommodation once a month.
This is said to have been ‘significantly life changing’, improving not only their quality of life but their mental and physical health. They also now have community links they have never had before.
Registered manager Ryan Hartnett is said to provide exceptional leadership and have developed a ‘dedicated staff team’ committed to the vision and values of the service.
Mr Hartnett said : “All of the team at Woodrow House are delighted with the outcome of the CQC report.
“The report recognises the dedication to providing individualised care that enables each person to have maximum choice and control over their lives. It also reflects the passion and commitment to helping people achieve their goals and realise their aspirations through outstanding personalised support.”
Dr Tony Romero, CEO of Cygnet Health Care, which runs the service, added: “We are very proud to have such a dedicated staff team committed to the vision and values of the service, where people are at the heart of all we do. Receiving this ‘Outstanding’ rating at a first inspection is a really impressive achievement.”
