Somerset Care home rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission

Published: 14 September 2016 Page last updated: 12 May 2022
Categories
Media

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has rated the care provided by The Dairy House in Taunton, Somerset as Outstanding overall, following an inspection in April 2016.

Inspectors rated The Dairy House Outstanding for being responsive to people’s needs and well-led, and Good for being safe, effective and caring.

A full report of the inspection has been published today.

Gale Stirling, Head of Inspection for Adult Social Care South (East), said:

“We have found that The Dairy House delivers an exceptional standard of care. There was excellent feedback from people and family members which showed staff made a positive and meaningful difference to people’s lives.

“There was a real commitment to provide high quality care and support to adults who have a learning disability, autism and/or a physical disability. All staff should feel proud of the work they do and of the outstanding support they provide.

“The provider made sure that people received personalised care that met their needs and interests. This was delivered by staff who had the right skills and knowledge to provide high quality care. I was pleased to read about the focus on communication and how the service used innovative techniques to make sure people’s choices and needs were respected.

The report highlights a number of areas of outstanding practice, including:

  • The registered manager and staff had developed exceptional kind and compassionate relationships with people. The highly motivated staff also treated people with kindness, dignity and respect.
  • The service explored innovative ways to help people communicate. The assistive technology manager had developed a sensory room and the ‘magic carpet’, an interactive floor projection system which allowed people to engage with games, music and images by moving on or over the projected surface.
  • People received care and support that was personalised to their needs and wishes. People were also able to choose the keyworker that they liked to work. This made sure care plans met people's needs, aspirations and preferences.
  • A speech and language therapist trained staff on how to communicate effectively with people. This promoted people's involvement in choices about their care.
  • A wide range of activities were available to meet people’s interests and abilities. Facilities also included a hydro pool, sensory room and suitable transport to maintain access to community activities.
  • People were encouraged and supported to remain independent and staff adapted services to suit people’s needs, interests and well-being.

Ends

For further information please contact Farrah Chandra, Regional Engagement Officer on 07944050817. For media enquiries about the Care Quality Commission, please call the press office on 020 7448 9401 during office hours. Journalists wishing to speak to the press office outside of office hours can find out how to contact the team here. (Please note: the duty press officer is unable to advise members of the public on health or social care matters). For general enquiries, please call 03000 61 61 61.

About the Care Quality Commission

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of health and social care in England.

We make sure health and social care services provide people with safe, effective, compassionate, high-quality care and we encourage care services to improve.

We monitor, inspect and regulate services to make sure they meet fundamental standards of quality and safety and we publish what we find to help people choose care.