The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has rated Foxland Grange in Wolverhampton as outstanding following its first inspection in October.
Foxland Grange, run by both Care UK Care Services Limited and WT UK Opco 4 Limited under a dual registration, is a care home providing support to adults of all ages living with dementia, nursing and residential needs, physical disabilities and sensory impairments.
There were 89 people living at the home at the time of the inspection. This was the first inspection since the home registered with the CQC.
CQC has rated how effective, caring, responsive and well-led the home is as outstanding, and how safe it is as good.
Amanda Lyndon, CQC’s deputy director of adult social care in the west midlands, said:
“Foxland Grange is an exceptional home because of the hard work and dedication of its leaders and staff, who have created a warm and welcoming environment.
“The registered manager and their team built a shared set of values with staff, and you could see those values in everything we observed. They reduced the need to use agency staff and improved staff retention by 56%. This meant staff knew the people they cared for well, and relatives told us complaints and concerns fell as a result.
“That consistency made a real difference to people’s lives. Staff took the time to understand each person’s history and what mattered to them. They helped one person who moved in without a suitable wheelchair to get one, so they could go outdoors again. A retired headteacher revisited their old school and became a pen pal to pupils. Another man who lost his wife, found new purpose in gardening and won an award for growing the tallest sunflower.
“We also saw staff work closely with district nurses and other health professionals, which helped people stay well and avoid hospital stays. One person had a painful pressure ulcer, and after six months of joined-up care, they could get out of bed and spend time with friends again.
“Everyone associated with Foxland Grange should be very proud of this report which reflects the high quality care the home provides.”
Inspectors found:
- Staff worked with people to find activities that reflected their pasts. They helped an RAF veteran visit a local museum and work with a nearby base on a resource to help other veterans talk about their experiences.
- The home ran weekly sensory sessions for people living with dementia and recorded the results. People who didn’t use words to communicate became calmer and more able to express themselves.
- One resident helped to welcome new arrivals and recruit staff, and a wish tree helped people try things they had always wanted to do, such as going to the theatre or a football match.
- Staff checked people’s needs in person before they moved in and used the findings to draw up care plans and risk assessments. This meant staff knew how to support people from day one.
- Leaders ensured staff were well supported. Staff told inspectors they could raise even small worries without fear of criticism, which helped them spot changes in people’s health early.
- Leaders gave new starters protected time to learn on the job. They also offered apprenticeships, counselling and meaningful recognition initiatives.
- Staff supported one person who had become withdrawn to set up a studio space, show their work in a local gallery and return to writing poetry.
- Leaders created a space in reception for visiting professionals to share updates after each visit. Staff and professionals said this made visits run more smoothly.