CQC sees 'significant improvements' at care home

A watchdog said a care home specialising in providing care for autistic people had improved

A watchdog said "significant improvements" had been made at a care home specialising in looking after people with autism and learning difficulties.

Cherrycroft in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, was ranked "inadequate" last December by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). However, a follow-up inspection in October has since rated it "good".

Hazel Roberts, CQC deputy director of operations in the East of England, said: "Staff had built good relationships with the people in their care and people told us they were now happy living there."

The home, run by Achieve Together Limited, has been contacted for comment.

There were 10 residents living there at the time of the latest inspection.

As well as the overall rating improving from "inadequate" to "good", so have the ratings for safe, effective, and well-led.

How caring and responsive the service is has also improved from "requires improvement" to "good".

Ms Roberts said: "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 said: "I feel very safe living here. They all know how to look after me."

However, one relative told 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 people told inspectors they were happy with the transition and admission to the home.

Ms Roberts said: "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."