CQC has rated an Enfield residential care home as Outstanding overall.
The care home, 1 Sheringham Avenue, Oakwood, was rated Outstanding for being well-led and responsive. It was rated Good for being safe, effective and caring, following an unannounced inspection in December 2019. Previously it was rated Good overall.
1 Sheringham Avenue provides personal care to five people living with autism and mental health conditions.
The leadership at the home was exceptional. CQC’s inspector found the registered manager and staff team shared a clear vision and very strong values. They led by example and were passionately committed to providing exceptional individualised care and support to people.
One member of staff said: "We have great teamwork. We support people to be independent and achieve their goals."
Relatives said: "Staff are very much a team with particularly good management." Another said: "The Registered Manager is a lovely person and very well liked at Sheringham. She has helped my relative consistently since he moved there."
One resident said: "I've lived here nearly 16 years. I like the support I receive. I'm happy living here."
The service supported people to overcome significant barriers and achieved positive outcomes in their lives. CQC heard how the provider stepped in and provided financial support to people when the travel operator they had booked their summer holiday through collapsed.
People were supported to engage in a varied range of activities and pastimes, all designed to encourage social inclusion and independence. Staff spent time with people developing activity timetables based on their hobbies, interests and aspirations.
For one person, staff identified they had an interest in animals and encouraged the person to pursue this interest as it had a calming effect and reduced incidents which placed the person at risk of harm. Staff supported them to visit local farms and animal shelters. Staff also provided stimulation in the home providing books about animals and encouraging the person to watch nature programmes on television. The registered manager said: "We focused on animals and zoo trips. They started attending the farm on Tuesdays. They liked this, and their behaviour improved."
For another person, significant risks were assessed and managed which meant that they have been able to do volunteer work in the community, while accompanied by a member of staff.
People were also supported to travel regularly. Recent holidays arranged by the provider included trips to Scotland and Malta. Feedback from people was positive with one saying jokingly: "We recently went to Malta. I didn't want to come back!"
One person did not like having showers. Staff identified that they were interested in swimming. Staff encouraged the person to go to the local swimming pool three to four times per week, which meant that the person was having regular showers at the pool. Staff built on this progress and they now have regular showers at home too.
Alison Murray, Head of Adult Social Care inspection in London said: “I am very pleased that 1 Sheringham Avenue has achieved an Outstanding rating. An improvement on its previously Good inspection.
“People living with autism and mental health conditions are vulnerable, but here they are looked after in a caring and positive environment.
“Staff were well trained, skilled and motivated to deliver a high-quality level of care and had received training tailored to people's individual care needs.”
You can read the report in full when it is published on CQC’s website at: www.cqc.org.uk/location/1-1435221697
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