A Kingston upon Thames care home has been rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission. At the previous inspection in June 2016, the home was rated Good overall.
London Care Partnership - 21b Upper Brighton Road, Surbiton, was rated Outstanding for being responsive and well-led. It was rated Good for being safe, effective and caring, following the inspection in December 2018.
The home provides care for up to seven young people including people with learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder.
There were numerous, varied activities that the young people benefited from, in the community, at home and elsewhere. Staff took great pains to support and help the young people to make their activity choices, based on the interests they had and things they liked to do. Whilst people did not verbally comment about the activities they pursued, their body language showed they enjoyed them with lots of smiling, laughter and enthusiasm.
Three people went on holiday to Romania, a destination they had chosen and where a staff member came from. This gave them the opportunity to experience Romanian culture and hospitality first hand. The home had provided hardback books of pictures taken for people to share with each other and their friends and relatives. The pictures showed what a wonderful time they had especially regarding Dracula and dinosaurs.
The home’s positive impact on young people was further demonstrated by a significant reduction in incidents and situations where people might display challenging behaviour. Where people displayed anxiety or anger through aggressive behaviour, staff were available and understood how to defuse situations.
One person had problems with weak gums and a tooth brushing session plan was put in place. This included video clips of the young person brushing their teeth, explaining what they were doing and reason why it was so important. They were clearly enjoying the video experience and being the centre of attention.
People at the home and the staff had enthusiastically embarked on a garden and allotment project that was termed their 'garden vision'. It began in a small way with people choosing different herbs and bushes they wished to grow at the front of the garden, once they had cleared the area. This also incorporated a water and a Christmas decoration feature, that one person went out to check each day.
The home rented an allotment close by, that people had cleared ready to plant in the spring. People had made many friends with others at the allotments who lent tools and gave advice and tips.
Due to residents’ limited verbal communication, relatives mainly spoke on their behalf. Relatives said the home had a warm, welcoming and friendly atmosphere. They said staff treated the young people's safety as a priority.
Debbie Ivanova, Deputy Chief Inspector, Adult Social Care, said:
“London Care Partnership – 21b Upper Brighton Road, fully deserves its Outstanding rating, it has improved overall from Good to the highest rating CQC can give. Staff and management at the home deserve to be congratulated for continuing to improve the standard of care.
“Our inspection report describes a service that is extremely well-led, which organises many and varied activities for people. I was particularly impressed with the trips organised abroad to Romania - and in England to Liverpool.”
You can read the inspection report in full when it is published on the CQC website.
Our inspection report describes a service that is extremely well-led, which organises many and varied activities for people. I was particularly impressed with the trips organised abroad to Romania.
Debbie Ivanova, Deputy Chief Inspector, Adult Social Care