The Care Quality Commission has found the quality of care provided by Walnuts Care in Galley Hill, Milton Keynes, to be Outstanding following an inspection in May.
Walnuts Care provides a range of support services for families and young people living with Autism. Services include respite care, support with social activities and daily living skills.
At the time of our visit there were 70 people using the service. Walnuts Care Ltd. (WCL) was set-up in association with The Walnuts School, a community, residential Special School in Milton Keynes for young people on the Autistic Spectrum, to provide care and support for younger adults once they leave school, in addition to respite for children.
Inspectors found staff were caring and compassionate and people were being provided with safe, responsive, caring, effective and well-led care.
Read the full inspection report
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. Walnuts Care is rated Outstanding for being caring well-led, and Good for being safe, responsive and effective.
Rob Assall-Marsden, CQC’s Head of Inspection for Adult Social Care in the central region said:
“Our inspection team was really impressed by the level of care and support offered to people who use Walnuts Care.
“People and relatives told us that they were supported by very kind, caring and compassionate staff that often went the extra mile to provide them with exceptional care. People were at the heart of the service, which was organised to suit their individual needs and aspirations.
“There were exceptional relationships between people, their families and members of staff. Relatives told us about the positive impact the service had on their lives and how things had changed for the better.
“Each person was treated as an individual and as a result, their care was tailored to meet their exact needs.
“There was an extremely positive culture within the service and the management team provided strong leadership and led by example. The registered manager and the operational manager had clear visions, values and enthusiasm about how they wished the service to be provided and these values were shared with the whole staff team.
“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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For further information, please contact Helen Gildersleeve, Regional Engagement Officer - Central, on 07754 438750 or CQC Regional Engagement Officer Mark Humphreys on 0191 201 1675.
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Our inspection team was really impressed by the level of care and support offered to people who use Walnuts Care.
Rob Assall-Marsden, Head of Inspection for Adult Social Care in the central region