Inspection Success for Willow Court

Staff and residents at Willow Court care home in Aldwickbury Crescent, Harpenden, are in high spirits following a recent Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection which rated the home ‘Good’ overall and ‘Outstanding’ in the Responsive category, which focuses on how care providers meet people’s needs.

In the glowing report, the CQC observed “lots of laughter” and noted that there was a “warm and welcoming” atmosphere in the home.

Inspectors singled out the care home’s responsiveness for particular praise, grading Willow Court as Outstanding in the work they do to meet resident’s individual and collective needs.

In particular, staff were commended on the home’s ‘Let’s Get Talking’ initiative which sees residents encouraged to talk about any goals and ambitions they might have before being supported to achieve these. This has led to a gardening club being set up at the home for those residents who have always wanted to learn how to grow plants, day trips to the seaside and window boxes being installed for residents who are unable to leave their rooms but still want to enjoy nature.

The inspector said “Staff were passionate about achieving the impossible and overcoming any barriers. We saw that people were brought into the community and the community brought into the service to engage with people”. The inspector further added “The atmosphere was happy and inspirational, where staff consistently worked hard to achieve the impossible and always go the extra mile”.

This impressive assessment of Willow Court was shared by residents and their loved ones, with one visitor commenting: “This is such a vibrant place. There is always so much going on. There is lots and laughter and a real buzz about the place."  

Willow Court’s Home Manager, Sarah Adlam, said: “We are all so pleased to have been rated as a Good home by the CQC, and really excited to have received the Outstanding rating in the Responsive category. We have a dedicated and passionate team here at Willow Court who go above and beyond to make sure that our residents receive the best possible care. We are absolutely delighted that this has been recognised by the CQC and I would like to thank all my team for making this possible.”

Maria Ball, Chief Executive of Parent Company Quantum Care, said: “I would like to extend my congratulations to the Willow Court team on such a fantastic report."