Highfields Residential Home recognised for exceptional care with overall ‘Outstanding’ CCQC rating 

Achieve together is very proud to share that its residential home, Highfields, in Derbyshire has received an outstanding rating in its latest inspection from the Care Quality Commission. This is the first time since 2018 that an Achieve together home has attained this level of excellence.  

Highfields is a small residential home, supporting people with profound and multiple learning disabilities. The CQC praised the home for exceptional team members, demonstrating an outstanding level of inclusivity, consistently placing people at the heart of all decisions relating to their care and treatment. People we support living at the home are treated with kindness and respect and in the least restrictive way possible.  

It also flagged that people we support have access to a diverse range of activities that reflected their age, gender, abilities and personal interests. 

A relative of a person supported at Highfields says: 

“They (relative) are supported to make choices and follow their interests in ways that respects their communication needs. The team are so proactive, flexible and approachable. I could not ask for more” 

Another says: 

“There is such a positive culture at this home. I know my relative is safe, and that they are treated with compassion.” 

The CQC also highlighted:  

•  The culture at the home is open, friendly, and welcoming 

• There is easy read information around the home to support people’s understanding. 

• Team members are dedicated and feel listened to, appreciated, and genuinely cared for, contributing to a positive, inclusive, and uplifting workplace culture 

• There is strong commitment to partnership working. 

• Support plans include details about important life changes, including transitions in care and people’s end of life considerations 

Zak Houlahan, Chief Executive of Achieve together says: 

“This is our first outstanding rating that we have achieved since 2018. My warmest congratulations and wholehearted thanks go to the team at Highfields for their focused efforts, dedication and hard work. They have created a consistently high-quality service, and it shows in the outcome here. This is a proud, well-earned moment.” 

Zoe Armstrong, Chief Care and Quality Officer says:  

“Highfields is a home in the truest sense of the word. The people we support receive compassionate, exceptional care from team members who treat them with the same kindness and respect they would show their own family. The leadership, culture and governance are truly outstanding. This home and its team should be immensely proud of this tremendous achievement.”   

Rachael Mossie, Registered Home Manager, says: 

“We know the people we support so well and are very close to their families and so to have achieved this result for them is something I am really proud of. Everyone who visits the home comments on how homely it is here and that it does not feel like a care home – and that is exactly as it should be. I am grateful to the team who work with me, to people we support and their families, and everyone we work with who makes Highfields such a unique place.” 

Read the CQC’s full report here