Skip to main content

We’re recruiting across the UK – apply today

×
good croft

The Croft, a Lifeways residential service at Heath Farm in Scopwick, Lincolnshire, has received a new rating from England’s health and social regulator.

The Croft, run by Autism Care, part of the Lifeways group, has received a new rating from England’s health and social regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The residential service, which is a purpose-built bungalow, is home to up to six adults with autism and learning disabilities.

After a CQC inspection in November 2023, The Croft was rated ‘Good’ in December by the regulator.

This means that CQC inspectors found the residential service to be:

  • Safe
  • Effective
  • Caring
  • Responsive
  • And well-led

What the CQC report says about The Croft:

  • “Staff received regular supportive supervision sessions which they said were useful in developing knowledge and skills. A member of staff told us how they had been able to develop their skills and progress within the provider organisation because of the support and encouragement from the management team.”
  • “We saw staff actively encouraged people to express their views in a positive and meaningful way. Staff clearly understood how people communicated their views through physical expressions and actions and they responded in a way which reassured people they were being listened to.”
  • “There was a positive and open culture within the home. We saw people freely engaging with staff and enjoying their company. Staff clearly knew how each person expressed their needs, wishes and preferences and used this knowledge to ensure people retained control of their daily lives.”
  • “People were supported to maintain and develop their independence. Positive risk taking was carefully managed to ensure people remained safe whilst developing new skills.”

‘There’s a proper family type atmosphere’

The team at The Croft makes sure to keep everyone, including family members, updated and included in the running of the service and the support of their loved ones.

Relatives remarked that their loved ones were treated with ‘kindness and well supported’.

One family member said,

"[Loved one] is so well supported, there's a proper family type atmosphere."

Another family member commented,

"We get surveys so we can make our views known; any ideas or suggestions are always taken on board."

Another relative told us about being involved in people's support reviews saying, "They make every effort to involve us."

Furthermore, people were supported to maintain relationships with their relatives. This meant thye were supported to visit their loved ones whenever they wanted, and they felt very involved in the lives of their loved ones.

Where relatives were unable to visit The Croft, staff supported people to meet up with them in different locations or used video calls.

Jessica Herring, the Croft's Registered Manager said: "We are all really proud of what we have achieved. The team have worked really hard to ensure the people we support have new experiences and to improve their quality of life."

"It is really nice to be inspected and feel that we are awarded a rating that reflects the hard work and dedication we have all put into the service. Myself and the team couldn’t be happier with the result and it is only onwards and upwards from here!"

The Croft had previously been inspected by the CQC in 2022.

All health services in England are provided one of four ratings by the CQC: Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, or Inadequate.

The full report is available for reading on the CQC website.

 

About The Croft:

The Croft is located on Heath Farm, a rural, peaceful location which has several other residential services on the same site. These services include The Farmhouse, The Cottage, The Barn, The Holt, The Oaks, and The Paddocks.

These services are all run by Autism Care, which is part of Lifeways.

 

About Lifeways:

Lifeways is the UK’s largest team of support professionals providing support for adults in the community.

We support adults with diverse and complex needs, including learning disabilities, autism, physical disabilities, acquired brain injuries, and mental health conditions.

Find out more about how we change people's lives at: www.lifeways.co.uk  

Follow us on:

 

More news and events
Find a service
Make a referral
Request a callback
Facebook Facebook Twitter Twitter Instagram You Tube LinkedIn LinkedIn LinkedIn