The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has raised the rating for Grasmere Avenue, run by L D Care Limited, from good to outstanding following an inspection in July.
Grasmere Avenue is a care home for up to six autistic people and people with a learning disability. L D Care Limited runs four care homes in Hounslow, all of which are now rated outstanding.
As well as the home’s overall rating increasing, its rating for well-led has also risen from good to outstanding. It was re-rated outstanding for caring and good for safe. This inspection did not look at how effective or responsive the service was, so these remain rated good from their previous inspection.
Stefan Kallee, CQC deputy director for people with a learning disability and autistic people, said:
“When we inspected Grasmere Avenue, we were very pleased to find leaders had encouraged a culture in which people’s wishes, needs and rights were at the heart of everything staff did.
“We saw staff adapted care to people’s personalities, interests, and strengths to support them to live fulfilling lives as independently as possible. Staff encouraged people to pursue goals, supported them to overcome barriers in their way, and were happy for them when they succeeded.
“The inspection team found people who previously experienced self-harm or low moods were happier and more at ease, with close relationships to staff and friendships in and outside the home.
“Leaders supported this good practice through a culture that was open and honest, in which staff, the people in the home, and people’s loved ones were encouraged to share concerns and ideas to continually improve care. Everyone in this service deserves to feel proud of these achievements.
“We’ve shared our findings with the provider so they can continue building on the good practice we saw during this inspection. Other service providers should look at our report for Grasmere Avenue, to see if there is anything they can learn, and to promote improvements across the sector to support people to lead their best lives.”
Inspectors also found:
- The home was safe for both the people living there and staff, with leaders regularly reviewing and improving the quality of the service
- Staff found ways for people outside the home to see and acknowledge people’s strengths, engaging with the local community through projects like tree-planting, litter picking and charity walks
- Staff turnover was low, meaning people received care from staff who knew them well. Staff shared knowledge well to make sure people received the same standard of care when key staff were away
- The home held special events celebrating different religions and cultures, with food from around the world
- People’s relatives said the home was excellently run. Staff had individual messaging groups set up for each family, and regularly shared photos and videos
- The home was recently awarded an advanced specialist certification from the National Autistic Society, which is given to services that show a strong understanding of autism and continual improvement.