The Care Quality Commission has found the quality of care provided by Acorns Children's Hospice to be Outstanding overall following an inspection carried out in March.
Acorns Children's Hospice in Birmingham is registered to provide care and treatment to children and young people, aged between 0 and 18 years, who have a life-limiting illness or condition. Acorns provide a range of services within its hospice; day care, short breaks for children, support into adult services, end of life care, and care after death.
Inspectors found staff were caring and compassionate and people were being provided with safe, responsive, caring, effective and well-led care. A full report of the inspection has been published.
Under CQC’s new 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. Acorns Children's Hospice was rated Outstanding overall, Outstanding for being caring, well-led, effective and responsive and Good for being caring.
Acosia Nyanin, 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 Acorns Children's Hospice and inspectors were struck by how caring staff were to those using the service.
“Parents consistently described staff in positive terms; "We have had a fantastic experience; they really have looked after our daughter". Another parent said; “Staff are absolutely lovely, take great care of our child and when she comes home she is always clean and fresh and perfectly happy".
“There was a positive and inclusive culture with a range of opportunities for parents, children and young people to share their views about the quality of the service.
Children and young people we met were happy and relaxed in the company of staff. Parents we spoke with told us they were very happy that staff kept their child safe. Staff had been trained and knew how to recognise and report any concerns about potential harm or abuse.
“There was an excellent awareness of children and young people's spiritual and religious and cultural needs so that they and their families had the support they wanted.
“In addition, staff arranged events suited to adolescent girls or boys so young people could socialise with their peers whilst on respite at the hospice and enjoy age appropriate activities such as music or films. There had been a range of visiting local celebrities so that young people could share experiences and try their skills at being a DJ or music making.
“All of this meant people received a high standard of care, which is why it has been rated Outstanding.”
Andrea Sutcliffe, Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care, said:
“The quality of care which our inspectors found here was exceptional and I am very pleased that we can celebrate the service’s achievements.
“An outstanding service is the result of a tremendous amount of hard work and commitment. I would like to thank and congratulate everyone involved.”
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The quality of care which our inspectors found here was exceptional and I am very pleased that we can celebrate the service’s achievements.
Andrea Sutcliffe, Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care