Suffolk domiciliary care agency rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission

The Care Quality Commission has found the quality of care provided by Seckford Almshouses to be Outstanding overall following an inspection carried out in March.

Seckford AlmsHouses is registered as a domiciliary care agency providing personal care to people who live in Seckford Almshouses in Woodbridge, Suffolk. The service provides sheltered accommodation and support to people who live in their own flats within the building.

Inspectors found staff were caring and compassionate and people were being provided with safe, responsive, caring, effective and well-led care. 

Jemima Burnage, CQC’s Head of Inspection for Adult Social Care in the central region said: “We were impressed with what we found during our inspection of Seckford Almshouses and inspectors were struck by how caring staff were to those using the service.

“Our observations showed extremely compassionate carers who consistently demonstrated empathy, understanding and warmth in their interactions with people. Staff had an enhanced knowledge of the people they cared for.

“The service ensured that people had tailored and inclusive methods of communication. For example, lip reading sessions and hearing aid clinics had been set up.

“Feedback from people and their relatives was extremely positive and throughout the inspection we saw how the senior management encouraged and embedded best practice. This approach meant staff were highly motivated and committed to providing an exceptional standard of care.

“Robust quality assurance systems were used to drive continual improvement. This included researching and testing approaches which might benefit people’s well-being. The service placed high significance on people’s experience by seeking feedback which was valued and acted on.

“All of this meant people received a high standard of care, which is why it has been rated Outstanding.”

The full inspection report has been published on CQC’s website: http://www.cqc.org.uk/location/1-122343204