Larks Leas

On this page

• Overview
• Kindness, compassion and dignity
• Treating people as individuals
• Independence, choice and control
• Responding to people’s immediate needs
• Workforce wellbeing and enablement

Caring – this means we looked for evidence that the provider involved people and treated them with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect. At our last assessment we rated this key question as good. At this assessment the rating has remained a good. This meant people were supported and treated with dignity and respect and involved as partners in their care.

This service scored 80 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

The provider always treated people with kindness, empathy and compassion and respected their privacy and dignity. Staff treated colleagues from other organisations with kindness and respect.

We did not look at Treating people as individuals during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Caring.

The provider was exceptional at promoting people’s independence, so people knew their rights and had choice and control over their own care, treatment and wellbeing.

People’s preferences were reflected in their care plans, and staff encouraged them to make their own decisions about daily routines, meals, personal care, activities and appointments wherever possible. One relative told us about their experience when their relative moved into Larks Leas. They said, “This was a very difficult decision for [relative], and [the manager] was exceptional in supporting [relative] throughout the process. The manager listened carefully to my [relative’s] concerns, helped them explore the advantages and disadvantages of different options, and always reinforced that the decision was entirely theirs to make. The kindness, patience, and support shown to both [relative] and myself during this period were outstanding, and I cannot thank them enough."

Staff recognised how previous lives, interests and routines contributed to people’s identity and wellbeing. A relative told us how their relative was a keen gardener. When they moved into Larks Leas the manager purchased a raised bed and the gardener supported the family to move plants from their relative’s garden to the new raised bed. They described how their relative would tell them what was growing and the gardener would keep the plants watered. Staff had enabled the person to retain an important part of their identity and continue making choices about an activity which gave them enjoyment and purpose. This demonstrated an exceptional approach to independence, where staff did not simply support people with their assessed needs but understood what mattered to them and made practical changes so they could continue living their life on their own terms. Feedback from relatives was overwhelmingly positive and comments included, “[Relative] is free to come or go as they please or to have visitors at any time”, “[My relative] enjoys the music afternoons, but if they want to return to their room they respect [their] decision”, “[My relative] has capacity and is therefore involved directly in discussions about their care, which is entirely appropriate”, “[My relative’s] room contains photographs and personal items, including furniture from [their] previous home, and the staff actively encouraged them to make the space feel like their own. I particularly appreciate that their room is treated as their private space and that staff always knock before entering. This respect for [my relative’s] dignity, independence, and personal preferences has helped them feel truly at home”, “The staff consider [relative’s] opinions and preferences and go along with [their] wishes” and “We have always been involved in the planning of [my relative’s] care. This happened from day 1 and continues to this day. It's worth saying that it is not a 1-way discussion either; we have suggested things that have definitely been taken on board and implemented, and as a result, we have seen [my relative] flourish.”
 

We did not look at Responding to people’s immediate needs during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Caring.

We did not look at Workforce wellbeing and enablement during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Caring.