Lancaster support services team rated '˜outstanding' by Care Quality Commission

Sunnyfield Support Services is a domiciliary care agency that provides support to adults with a learning disability or with an autistic spectrum disorder in the Lancaster and Morecambe area.

During an unannounced inspection in September 2015 inspectors found that staff were caring and compassionate and people were being provided with exceptional care.

Under CQC’s programme of inspections, all adult social care services are being given a rating according to whether they are safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led.

The report on Sunnyfield Support Services highlights a number of areas of innovative and creative practice at the service and a clear commitment by managers to provide the best service possible.

The service employed highly skilled and experienced staff, that were proactive in managing the people’s care needs. Staff regularly consulted with other healthcare professionals to better support a person’s needs and ensure any health concerns were dealt with in a timely manner.

Management would match staff with people, using their likes and hobbies as a guide, so that relationships could develop to ensure care was highly personalised.

Sharing common interests in this way enabled some people to develop programs of work and interests in the local community, which better aided their independence and autonomy.

People using the service were fully involved in the care planning process, and their care needs were regularly reassessed to ensure the service was providing suitable care and support.

Staff felt supported by management and were kept up to date with relevant training and support needs, and were encouraged to further develop their skills. The service used integrated learning to develop and share best practice with other healthcare professionals and students, which was designed to ensure the people using the service received the most up to date care available.

Debbie Westhead, deputy chief inspector for Adult Social Care in the North, said:“We found that staff and management at Sunnyfield Support Services were dedicated to supporting people to achieve their goals and live an independent life. It was clear that the people they supported were at the heart of the organisation. The team there should be extremely proud of the work they do.

“The feedback we received from people using the service, complementing staff for their dedication to providing high quality care, is excellent to hear. Ensuring that the service maintains consistent care and seeking every opportunity to improve the people’s quality of life is a great achievement.

“It is very clear that Sunnyfield Support Services has adopted a person centered approach to care and support. Staff act with utmost professionalism and management are committed to providing safe, responsive and compassionate care. It is for this and many other reasons why the service has received the highest rating we can give.”