A NEW FOREST care home is celebrating its overall ‘Outstanding’ rating in its latest Care Quality Commission Report.

Woodpeckers at Sway Road in Brockenhurst, which is run by Colten Care, was rated outstanding – the highest level - for being effective, responsive and well-lead. Safety and caring at the home, which caters for up to 41 older people, were rated as good.

“Staff working at Woodpeckers understood the needs of people using the service and supported people in an exceptionally personalised way,” said the report.

“Staff knew people well and we saw that care was provided respectfully and sensitively, taking into account people’s different needs. The impact this had on people was outstanding and had resulted in people living an active life with choice evident throughout.”

The report said people felt safe living at Woodpeckers and they were ‘very much at the heart of the service’.

The lead inspector said: “We received consistent positive feedback from people, their families and health professionals. People received excellent care that was based around their individual needs and that ensured care was personalised and responsive.”

Inspectors were particularly impressed with the way staff and residents participated in the local community, joining the carnival procession and a Winter Wonderland event. “The home had built strong links with the local primary school and children visited the home weekly and worked with people through a buddy system,” said the report.

It also praised the way staff welcomed local students, supporting them into care work.