Care Home for Autism and Learning Difficulties Improves CQC Rating to ‘Good’

A regulatory body has reported “significant improvements” at Cherrycroft, a care home in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, which specializes in supporting individuals with autism and learning difficulties. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) had previously rated the facility “inadequate” last December, but a subsequent inspection conducted in October has resulted in an updated rating of “good”. Hazel Roberts, the CQC’s deputy director of operations for the East of England, stated: “Staff had built good relationships with the people in their care and people told us they were now happy living there.” The facility, operated by Achieve Together Limited, was contacted for a statement. At the time of the most recent inspection, 10 residents resided at the home. Beyond the overall rating’s progression from “inadequate” to “good,” the individual ratings for safety, effectiveness, and leadership have also improved. Furthermore, the service’s caring and responsiveness aspects have advanced from “requires improvement” to “good.” Ms. Roberts commented: “When we inspected Cherrycroft, we were pleased to see vast improvements across the whole service. It was great to see the principles of right support, right care, right culture in action, giving autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence, and good access to local communities that most people take for granted.” During the inspection, one resident expressed: “I feel very safe living here. They all know how to look after me.” Conversely, a relative informed inspectors: “The staff are almost as bored as the relatives. The staff aren’t very confident and don’t always know what they are doing.” Most individuals conveyed to inspectors their satisfaction with the transition and admission process to the home. Ms. Roberts added: “Cherrycroft now had good care plans and risk assessments in place, staff were managing medicines safely, and receiving the right training for their roles to keep people safe.”