'Outstanding' home care agency uses Makaton choir to boost communication

A home care agency in North Yorkshire rated ‘outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission, has been praised for setting up a Makaton choir to boost communication between staff and the people they care for.

Wilf Ward Family Trust Domiciliary Care Ryedale and Whitby provides care and support to people living in 'supported living' settings, with autism and learning disabilities as well as physical disabilities and dementia.

The choir helps both staff and the people they support to learn and use Makaton – a language programme which uses signs and symbols to help people communicate.

In the CQC report, inspectors said ‘the use of Makaton had also been embraced and encouraged throughout the service in a fun and interactive way. Staff had organised a Makaton choir which had developed over time and now had over 30 attendees each week which included people, staff and the community.

‘The purpose of the choir was to learn and encourage people and staff to use Makaton to promote effective communication. The registered manager told us 'the choir has gone from strength to strength. It is a well known group within the community and to see them perform is amazing and heart-warming’.’

Inspectors found the agency gives people choice and promotes independence and inclusion.

They said: ‘People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen. The service was extremely person centred and staff were proactive in ensuring people were supported to live fulfilled and meaningful lives.’

In addition, people using the service were given ‘a range of excellent social opportunities’ and they had ‘blossomed as individuals and as a result of staff's positive approach to any situation, people had been able to develop their skills, seek employment in the local community and build friendships within the local area’.

Staff are ‘passionate about the people they supported’ and the service was ‘exceptionally well-led by a registered manager who led by example and had embedded an open and honest culture’, according to the report.

Debbie Westhead, deputy chief inspector of Adult Social Care at the CQC said: “It’s great to see an already 'good' service improve to be 'outstanding'. We found that the management team had a strong focus on learning and developing best practice, and continuous improvement. Keeping a record of their research was an excellent way to reflect on their work and drive it forward.

“We also found robust systems in place to keep people safe and an understanding of how technology could be used to improve people’s lives. It was clear that the service wanted people to be involved in their care and actively encouraged collaboration. The people receiving care told us how much they had achieved, because of the caring relationships that had been formed.

“Dedicated, skilled and motivated staff led by very strong management are some of what makes this service an 'outstanding' example.”

One person using the service told inspectors: "The staff and people I live with are my family. I cannot thank them enough. I was in a bad place when I moved here but I can honestly say I am in a much better place now. That is all down to the staff. They make me laugh and smile every day."

To read the report click here

click here for more details or to contact The Wilf Ward Family Trust Domiciliary Care Ryedale and Whitby