A housing support service has been heavily praised by the Care Inspectorate after it received a six star review for some of its services.

Blackwood’s St Leonard’s Court recently underwent an unannounced inspection for which it was awarded five stars for its dedication to person-centred care, tenant participation and engagement and strong management standards.

The Inspection Report revealed the five star grades in the “staffing”, “care and support” and “management and leadership” categories.

Specific criteria within these categories can be awarded six stars, but this is extremely rare. However, St Leonard’s Court can now boast two of these ratings, firstly for its outstanding commitment to working with both its service users and carers and involving them in the shaping of its services and secondly, for the measures it puts in place to ensure it improves its service by using this vital feedback.

The staff at St Leonard’s Court are dedicated to ensuring that the opinions of the residents who live there are welcomed. The inspection found that not only did staff seek out feedback from their customers, they also acted on it, therefore ensuring that the suggestions could have a positive impact on the whole community.

Customers, in particular, reported high levels of satisfaction, praising the dedicated staff who encourage them to live independently in their own homes, and to get involved in the activities of the wider community.

Irene Morrison, manager at St Leonard’s Court, said: “Both staff and customers were delighted with the score and feel it’s a great way to reflect the positive atmosphere in place at St Leonard’s.

“We pride ourselves on supplying our staff with the very best training, ensuring that our management team is kept up-to-date with the best practices and wider developments that impact on the local service.

“All of our staff receive regular supervisions, have a high level of training and are enthusiastic and committed to their roles.

“There is definitely a real team ethic at St Leonard’s and we are confident that our customers know and have working relationships with staff, to such a level where they know that their views will be heard.”

Irene is also continually striving to improve the service and is thankful to the Care Inspectorate for providing further key points for St Leonard’s Court to work on.

She added: “No matter how strongly we are rated we know there will always be ways we can improve, therefore the feedback from the Care Inspectorate is vital and welcomed.”

Blackwood chief executive, Fanchea Kelly, said: “I’m thrilled with the five star review St Leonard’s Court received for its committed and attentive staff, and to achieve six star grades for two aspects of the report is phenomenal. It’s great that the customers feel so at home and so positive about their experiences of Blackwood in the West.

“It’s a testament to Blackwood’s commitment to providing a high level of care and support to customers that is frequently inspected and maintained.

“The people who use Blackwood services are at the heart of shaping its future. Their experiences and input steer our new policies and innovation at Board level, in regional scrutiny panels and via tenant surveys.

“Therefore, it’s fantastic to know that one of the key strengths in St Leonard’s is the care and support provided by the staff, who provide the basis of the great feedback experienced in this development.”

@Blackwood_HC