A “compassionate and kind” Newton Aycliffe company working with children and young people with complex needs has been awarded CQC Outstanding for the third time running.
Families told the inspector that ROC Support Network made a huge difference to their lives and one local authority professional praised the working relationship they had with the company, adding that they have a “genuine care for our children and their families”.
The inspection, which considered whether the service was safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led, included interviews with service user families, local authority commissioners and staff.
“We are absolutely delighted with the result,” said director Sally Bishop. “Achieving outstanding is a great accomplishment but to get it three times running shows the skills and commitment of all of our team.”
The company, which used to be called Reach Out Care Support Network, works with under 25s with autism, learning disabilities and other complex needs. Services include independent living skills training, confidence building activities, home support and a sleep over service.
In her report the inspector wrote: “Parents told us the management team and support staff were exceptionally compassionate and kind.
“Support staff told us they received excellent support from the management team and were extremely proud to work for the service. There was a very open and transparent culture where all young people were empowered to be involved in their care and voice their opinions. Without exception, all parents spoken to told us the service was exceptionally well-managed.”
One parent told the inspector that without the service, she would not be able to keep her daughter at home as her own health was also very poor.
The inspector also wrote: “Safeguarding was at the core of the service’s practices and the needs of all young people were paramount. Staff were clear on safeguarding protocols and demonstrated a good knowledge of the actions to be taken to keep young people and their families safe.
The company is part of the wider ROC Group – its portfolio includes children’s homes, extra supported housing for 16 to 18 year-olds with challenging behaviours and a supervised contact service. Its directors also founded a supported housing charity, ROCSOLID, which supports vulnerable people, including care leavers, trafficked people, pregnant young women and people with learning difficulties.
The group also holds Investing in Children accreditation and enhanced accreditation National Association of Children’s Contact Centres.
Photo: CQC Outstanding three times running for ROC Support Network in Newton Aycliffe – from left to right are operations manager Louise Williams, support worker Charlotte Purdham and directors Dot Butler and Sally Bishop.
