Dementia care home given Outstanding rating

Deangate Care Home in Barnsley has been rated Outstanding by the CQC

A care home specialising in dementia has been rated Outstanding following a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection.

Inspectors said Deangate in Mapplewell, Barnsley, provided "exemplary" care and that staff were "kind and caring" towards residents by helping them to maintain their independence.

The report said that the home was involved in the local community and organised multi-generational activities, including with a toddler group.

Manager Rachel Dawson said: 'I'm over the moon. We all are, it's a dream come true. As staff we have a commitment to a family ethos towards each other and residents."

The home organises multi-generational activities with the local community

Deangate's most recent rating at its last inspection in 2021 was Good, but inspectors have now recommended that other care providers learn from its example.

The CQC was impressed with carers' interest in helping patients to continue with their hobbies and maintain relationships with friends and family members.

The home runs a veterans' breakfast club which is also open to non-residents, and has been awarded Veteran Friendly Framework status.

Ms Dawson began working at Deangate in 2004, and has risen from part-time care assistant to manager. The leadership team was praised in the report.

She added: "If I'm completely honest, I've got an amazing staff team. When you walk in the atmosphere is absolutely lovely, we are just one big family, and that's how it's worked for us.

"We all want the same thing; we want to do the best we possibly can for the residents."

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North