A RESIDENTIAL care home in Kempshott for people with learning disabilities has been given the top rating from the healthcare watchdog again.

The Conifers, in Kempshott Lane, has been given an ‘outstanding’ rating for the second year in a row by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Inspectors rated the Care Opportunities-run service as ‘outstanding’ overall and in the effective, caring and well-led categories, with ‘good’ ratings for responsiveness and safety.

Deborah Ivanova, CQC deputy chief inspector, adult social care, said: “It is great to congratulate The Conifers on achieving yet another outstanding for their care.

“People were receiving exceptional care with services being developed and tailored to their needs and at the same time promoting independence and engagement with the community.

“Staff spent time getting to know people to build meaningful and valued relationships with them. People were treated with compassion and kindness.

“Not only have they kept to a level of excellence but they have taken our report to heart and tried to explore what else they could do to improve the care they offer their clients.

“I would like to congratulate the service on attaining an overall rating of outstanding again.”

Behavioural specialist at Care Opportunities, Paul Wanless, said: “It is fantastic, and the inspection was unannounced, which is an even more fantastic achievement.

“It really is a team effort, and our in-house teams do offer a very good service.

“We’ve improved in the leadership area to outstanding, which is a really good reflection on our management team, especially with Danielle Joyce, the registered manager.

“The result is brilliant, we’re very proud and look to keep improving as we go forward.”