Heatherington House receives an outstanding from CQC
Heatherington House, who specialise in supporting adults with a range of complex needs and behaviours associated with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) in Kettering, Northamptonshire, have been rated as ‘Outstanding’ in one key area and ‘Good’ in the remaining four, according to its latest inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Heatherington House was praised by inspectors, for providing a safe, effective, caring, responsive service and well led service.
The report said: “The service provided exceptionally person-centred care which helped people to make remarkable changes to their health and general well- being. People told us numerous stories of just how much difference the care they received had made to them; sometimes even changing their lives for the better, giving them a new lease of life. Devoted staff provided bespoke care and support, tailored to people’s individual needs and based on their likes, dislikes and individual preferences. They worked effortlessly to encourage and stimulate people to consider doing things they might not have done previously, not recognising barriers and making things possible for people.”
The report continued: “Staff were passionate in their intentions and supported and encouraged people to access the local community and participate in activities, including voluntary and paid work placements. These opportunities were incredibly important to people as they empowered them to have meaningful and fulfilled lives, becoming fully integrated within the local community. The opportunities they had were provided by skilled staff who worked hard to give people every chance to undertake the things that they wanted to, to be adventurous and achieve independence. This gave people a huge sense of self satisfaction and self-belief, leading them to consider moving on to more independent living opportunities.”
Margaret Elliott, Manager at Heatherington House, says: “The team are all extremely happy at the praise we received from inspectors in the report following their visit to Heatherington House in May 2016. All of our colleagues, supported individuals and families work well together to support each other and it is pleasing to see that our service has been rated so highly by the CQC.”
She continued: “It was particularly rewarding to hear the feedback of the residents about our work. They said – “I like all the staff here, they do so much for me and have really helped me since I have come.” Another person said- “They could not be better, I really am happy, it could not be better than it is.”
Heatherington House specialises in providing accommodation and support for eight adults with a range of complex needs and behaviours associated with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS). PWS is a genetic condition that predominantly manifests with early years onset of hyperphagia which is an abnormal unrelenting great desire for food driving the person towards excessive eating and, left unchecked, life threatening obesity. Other characteristics of PWS include, for example, learning disabilities that may range in severity, and challenging behaviours are a feature of PWS whether or not the person has a measured learning disability.