Care inspectors have praised the quality of care at a residential home for those with learning and physical disabilities in the Fenland market town of March.
Belmont Road home in Cambridgeshire was rated as “good” right across the board, for being well-led, responsive, caring, effective and safe.
Inspectors said people received all the care and support they needed to meet their needs, and their dignity and independence was “valued”.
The care needs of residents were actively reviewed, and residents were supported to take part in a range of activities that were important to them. “There were strong links with the local community to create an open and inclusive culture,” inspectors said.
They added: “We saw that people were smiling when they engaged with staff and people’s relatives told us that their family member was kept safe, and they were very satisfied with how their family member was looked after. The learning disability nurse and GP all told us that people were kept safe as staff treated them well. A GP told us that there was always enough staff when they visited.”
Staff were described as knowledgeable, and residents received a good standard of personal care.
For their part, members of staff said they had the support and training to do the job. A staff member said: “I really enjoy my job. It is like working in a family home.” Another said: “The fact is that the home has a nice relaxed atmosphere. It has a calming effect.”
One of the surveys of relatives, cited by inspectors, said: “This is an excellent home. I never announce my visits but I will always find my family member well cared for.”
Another relative said the staff were “very, very kind” and, during the visit, inspectors said people were laughing, singing and talking.
Staff knocked on people’s doors to ensure they had their permission before entering, and people were supported to maintain contact with their friends and relatives which included overnight stays at the home.
There were links with the community - with people attending educational courses, religious services and recreational activities. The deputy manager said the home was integrated with the neighbourhood, and neighbours had attended the home’s summer fetes and sent Christmas cards to the home.
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