Care home that 'needed improvement' is now 'Oustanding'
A residential care home that was rated by the CQC as requiring improvement five years ago, has made a great leap forward and is now classed as 'Outstanding' with 'exceptionally kind' staff.
Following a recent inspection by the Care Quality Commission, Tigh Fruin, in Hayton, Retford, that is run by Kisimul Group Limited, was given the highest rating for its over all provision.
Tigh Fruin provides personal care and support to autistic people and those with a learning disability, and currently has five people using the service.
Greg Rielly, CQC deputy director of adult social care in the East Midlands, said: "At our inspection, we found significant improvements to the care people received.
"There was a clear cultural overhaul, which the registered manager is credited with being a central part of.
"Staff displayed exceptional kindness and worked tirelessly to give people a higher quality of life.
He continued: “This kindness was evident when a person appeared uneasy around one of our inspectors, due to them being an unfamiliar face in their home.
"Staff immediately offered reassurance, calmly explained who CQC were and facilitated a sensitive introduction. This relaxed the person and they began engaging with the inspector, holding their hand while proudly showing them photos on the wall.
“Staff were adaptable and committed in tailoring their approaches to communicate with individuals with complex needs.
"We saw leaders empower them to use their creativity with many tools and technologies made available.
"One person showed increased confidence when staff used an electronic device with a recording of a family member’s voice”.
He added: “The service was committed to treating people as individuals, utilising personalised approaches where possible.
"Goal boards were themed around people’s likes and preferences, in response to a lack of engagement with more traditional goal boards.
"We saw first hand the difference this made, with people already making progress on key goals.
“Everyone at Tigh Fruin should be proud of the changes made at the service.
"The contents of the report, notably comments from fellow professionals, relatives, and people in their care, are testament to the hard work and dedication they show to make a difference in people’s lives.”
Lucy Maxwell, manager at Tigh Fruin, said: "Getting from the previous inspection to where we are now is an enormous achievement.
"I think the main thing that blows me away here is how staff and residents develop such wonderful relationships and have such trust between them.
"Since I came here, I have never asked a question about any resident that staff can't answer immediately. They know each person so well - their needs and everything about them."
She added: "People who work here have special qualities. Our relationship with the college on site plays a big part too....we have education literally on the doorstep."
Lucy was keen to inform that she was not the manager when the CQC made their visit, and that Susan Williams, the previous manager, was largely responsible for the turnaround.
Leaders promoted a positive culture where staff and people felt able to speak up and raise concerns without fear, inspectors found, as they concluded that the service demonstrated an ‘exceptional level of integration and continuity in the way care and support were delivered’.