A place where colleagues share a strong commitment to enabling the people we support to live rich, self-directed lives – we’re proud to share that Sternhill Paddock, our 6-bedroom residential service in Eakring, Newark, has been rated OUTSTANDING following their recent CQC Inspection!
From carefully curated sensory adaptations to a compassionate, holistic approach to needs and communication styles, the team at Sternhill Paddock really do pride themselves in going above and beyond to create a home where people are the heart of every moment.
This outcome is especially special to Service Manager, Chloe Horton, as this is her first inspection as a registered manager. Sharing her delight;
“I’m incredibly proud of the team and the outstanding support they’ve shown over the past few months since I stepped into the manager role. Everyone has embraced the changes wholeheartedly, helping to drive our service to an exceptional standard. Achieving an Outstanding rating in my very first CQC inspection as a registered manager is something I will always remember. A huge congratulations to Team Sternhill – this is a truly remarkable achievement.”
Comments from relatives included:
- “Since the move to Sternhill Paddock, things have improved so much. [Name] comes home to stay regularly now and that never happened before, staff facilitated this to happen it’s been fantastic.”
- They described staff as patient, skilled and creative, noting that the personalised Makaton approach had reduced barriers and enhanced relationships between people, their families and the wider staff team.
- We saw written feedback from one relative who explained that the care provided by staff had “given” them their relative back.
Comments from those living at Sternhill Paddock included:
- “Staff show exceptional kindness.”
- “Staff make this my home, they protect me and would never hurt me.”
- “Staff are amazing, they listen and help me all the time.”
Comments from those working at Sternhill Paddock included:
- “This is the most fulfilling care role I have had, I honestly feel I make a difference.”
- “The support is great, I am asked for my input and opinion. We are a true team.”
- “Our values focus on teamwork, between everyone, staff, people and their relatives. Everyone is valued and respected and this makes outcomes positive for all involved.”
Enjoy a glimpse of some of the stand out moments, from a report full of exceptional moments.
Safe
- “Leaders and staff placed clear value on reflection, improvement and continual learning, and this was evident in the way the team approached risk, challenges and change.”
- “People were supported by staff who were vigilant, compassionate, and confident in their responsibilities.”
- “We observed staff working well together as a team, communicating clearly and sharing information to ensure people received consistent, safe care.”
Effective
- “Collaborative working meant people’s long‑term goals, preferences and aspirations were consistently placed at the centre of decision‑making.”
- “Staff, teams and external professionals worked together with a level of coordination, communication and shared purpose that went above and beyond.”
- “Staff demonstrated a clear awareness of how each person expressed agreement, refusal or uncertainty, and they adapted their approach to ensure people were fully involved in decisions about their care.”
Caring
- “Staff demonstrated outstanding levels of kindness, compassion and respect.”
- “The feedback we received was exceptionally positive and demonstrated a deeply embedded culture of warmth, empathy and person‑centred practice.”
- “Staff displayed an in‑depth understanding of each person’s emotional needs and communicated with sensitivity, respect and genuine affection.”
- “The service consistently went above and beyond to promote people’s autonomy. People were supported to develop independence at a pace that suited them, with staff offering encouragement, guidance and opportunities rather than doing things for people.”
Responsive
- “The provider was exceptional at making sure people were at the centre of their care and treatment choices and they decided, in partnership with people, how to respond to any relevant changes in their needs.”
- “The strong person-centred culture meant staff were confident in adapting support to meet changing needs and consistently used positive approaches to reduce distress and avoid restrictive practices.”
- “The registered manager and staff at Sternhill Paddock demonstrated excellent practice in how it delivered integrated, personalised and continuous care.”
- “Their commitment to adapting information to each person’s individual needs had a significant and positive impact on people’s wellbeing, confidence and involvement in their own care.”
Well-Led
- “Leaders demonstrated an exceptional understanding of the challenges faced by people and their communities, and this shaped every aspect of how care and support were delivered.”
- “Staff consistently told us they were united by a shared purpose: to promote people’s independence, remove barriers, and minimise restrictions so individuals could live full, active and meaningful lives.”
- “The culture across the service was one of positivity, ambition and collective responsibility.”
- “People and relatives consistently told us they felt confident in the management team and reassured by their presence.”
- “Staff described feeling empowered to grow, contribute ideas, and act as positive role models for colleagues.”
The outstanding CQC report highlights the teams culture of continuous improvement and dedication to making a difference, and is an absolute delight to read. We could have spent all day pulling extracts from what is quite truly a special report, which we’d invite everyone to read through the link below.
And finally, sharing her delight at the outcome, Area Director Melanie Stone added;
“I am immensely proud of the team for achieving a CQC rating of Outstanding. This recognition reflects the high standards of care, support, teamwork and professionalism they consistently demonstrate. A truly well deserved accomplishment.”
Thank you to Chloe, and the whole team at Sternhill Paddock for your unwavering dedication to not only making a difference, but truly going above and beyond in what you do – we couldn’t be prouder of the team!
