A residential care home for people with learning disabilities in Harlow has received a ‘Good’ rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for its personalised care.

Resident Russell Lebby with Susan Middleton

Sanctuary Supported Living’s (SSL) Livingstone House, which provides residential care for up to 19 adults with learning disabilities, was praised by inspectors for its personalised support to help residents make their own choices and live as independently as possible.

The report said: “People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

“Staff asked people’s consent before any care or support was given, and we saw people had access to health and social care professionals when needed.”

The report also recognised people being given support to shop for their food and prepare meals themselves, or with help from staff if necessary.

One resident said: “I shop and cook for myself, I love cooking.”

Also highlighted was the dignity given to residents in the form of a pledge observed by all staff and printed on a poster.

The poster – which sees staff pledge that, should they see someone unsafe, lonely, in pain or being bullied, they will ‘never walk by’ – is used across all of SSL’s CQC-registered services.

SSL local services manager Kerry Harding said: “I’m very proud of the team here at Livingstone House, whose commitment to providing personalised care for our residents has ensured this rating.