WITH many care homes under fire two private homes run by a family group in North Yorkshire have been declared “outstanding”.

The Millings in Bedale, and St John’s at Kirk Hammerton both came out with top marks after inspections by the Care Quality Commission. Less than one in 100 homes throughout the country get the top rating.

The Millings which has 35 residents has just celebrated its 20thanniversary.

Lou Squires, Managing Director of Clifton St Anne’s Care which runs just the two homes, said the reason they have achieved such success is a partnership between the staff, the residents and their families. People in the homes chose their own wallpaper, voted to have their own bar, adopted a rescue dog and a run of free range chickens.

Registered Manager at the Millings Sandra Anderson was commended by the Inspectors for her “passion and commitment to excellent service.” She said:”It if matters to our residents it matters to us.”

Inspectors added:”The service provided innovative support to people to enable them to live fulfilled and meaningful lives. Links had been made with local services such as schools and Durham University to ensure people were offered very person centred opportunities not just to undertake activities they enjoyed but also to learn new skills. Staff were skilled at ensuring people were safe whilst encouraging them to stretch their potential and achieve as much independence as possible.”

The group say high value is placed on staff by ensuring they earn higher than the living wage.

Mrs Squires added:“All staff share ownership of the success from the maintenance team to team leaders to management. Nobody is ‘just’ a kitchen assistant in our homes. Everyone plays an integral part in our community and can read the glowing CQC report with pride knowing they have contributed to it. We’re thrilled our staff have achieved such fantastic recognition.

“At the Millings we hope that there is no age limit on having a good time as our residents write new exciting chapters in their lives. The door is always open with families and pets ever welcome.”

One relative whose father recently moved into the Millings added:“Any care home is merely a pile of bricks, it’s the people who make it a community.”