Cherry Tree House is a specialist residential service in Mansfield Woodhouse, Nottinghamshire, supporting individuals with learning disabilities, autism, complex needs and behaviours that may challenge.
Cherry Tree House contains six self-contained apartments, configured to meet the needs of the residents in single occupancy accommodation offering them the next step along their care pathway towards greater independence.
The rating follows an unannounced inspection on 2nd-3rd August 2022 which resulted in a ‘Good’ rating in all five key lines of enquiry ‘Safe’, ‘Effective’, ‘Caring’, ‘Responsive’ and ‘Well Led’.
The full report (published on the CQC website) highlights many areas of positive practice, including:
- Residents had care and support plans that were personalised, holistic, strengths-based and reflected their needs and aspirations, included physical and emotional needs.
- Residents were all individually involved in choosing their food, shopping, and planning their meals. Staff supported them to be involved in preparing and cooking their own meals in people’s own kitchenettes, in their preferred way and according to their capabilities.
- Residents were well matched with their designated support worker and as a result, they were at ease, happy, engaged and stimulated.
- Staff took the time to understand people’s individual communication styles and develop a rapport with them.
- Relatives told inspectors they felt staff supported their family members to make choices, listened to them, and respected their choices. Relatives also spoke positively about the caring approach staff had.
- Residents were encouraged to be as independent as possible with areas of their daily routines, and to participate in meaningful activities they enjoyed. For example, one person had a small pet they were taking care of.
- Staff supported residents to maintain regular contact with their family members. One relative inspectors, “I went shopping with my [relative] recently and I nearly cried (with happiness) because [person] is doing so much better. The staff seem to know how to support my relative and now they have less incidents. For me, the care my [relative] gets is spot on.”
- Staff ensured that people’s medicines were reviewed by prescribers in line with STOMP (STOMP stands for stopping over medication of people with a learning disability, autism or both with psychotropic medicines.)
Kiri Fulwood, Social Care Peripatetic Manager, said, “Over the last year the whole staff team at Cherry Tree House have gone above and beyond to help support the new vision for the service which has now been reflected in the recent inspection and report. Staff members have worked closely with the management team to implement positive changes and gain the best outcomes for our residents.
“I would like to thank all our staff team for their hard work and dedication and their continued support and positive contributions they bring to the home every day. We are now really motivated to continue to improve and set out plans to achieve outstanding at our next inspection.”