Why so many of county's care homes are outstanding

Receiving outstanding care when we get older is something we all want for our relatives and ourselves, but what does it take to provide it?

In Suffolk, about 14% of care homes are rated as outstanding by the watchdog, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), higher than the national average of 4%.

The much-sought afterrating means staff have been going above and beyond to ensure their residents are living life to the full.

The BBC spoke with several outstanding care homes, their residents as well as the CQC to find out just what it takes to run a top-notch service.

Grove Court Care Home in Woodbridge was rated as outstanding for a second time in a row this year.

Built in 1999, it has 61 residents and 109 staff.

CQC inspectors said that the residents were treated with "kindness and compassion", with staff supporting them in the "least restrictive way possible".

Kelly Lockwood, the general manager, said the team had "worked really hard" to achieve the rating.

"To get outstanding in my first manager role, and my first ever inspection as a manager, is pretty special, so I feel really lucky," she added.

Lockwood said she had improved staff conditions, including rotas, to support work-life balance which in turn helped with recruiting more people.

Enriching residents' lives was crucial, giving them opportunities to do what they want, she said.

This included recently helping a 97-year-old visit Berlin where she was born.

"We're here to live and we're not here sitting, waiting to pass," Lockwood continued.

Family feedback played a significant role in CQC ratings and including families in the service was also vital.

Maintaining an outstanding service, Lockwood said, was about taking "positive risks" for residents to ensure they are making decisions about what they want to do with their lives.

Sybil Cave, 97, has lived at Grove Court almost two years and said her life at the home was "splendid" with space to sit and entertain friends as well as a garden to enjoy.

"I've lived in Woodbridge for a long time, so I knew about it, but I like the care obviously.

"There's always somebody there to help you when you need help and companionship.

Patricia Wallis, 92, has been at Grove Court for about 18 months.

"I like it a lot," she said. "The people around me are great as are the staff."

"I don't have to worry about anything, getting fed or worrying about if the water is hot or all sorts of things, it's great."

White Gables Residential Care Home in Felixstowe, home to 37 adults living with various conditions, was also given an outstanding rating in April.

Inspectors said staff knew the residents "very well" and would use this to personalise their care.

The range of activities highlighted included a disco to help residents exercise.

Kate Nears, the home's wellbeing coordinator, schedules weekly activities to ensure residents are fulfilled.

She said hearing residents laugh was the most rewarding part of her role.

"This is a happy home, we are often laughing, we even do laughter therapy sometimes," she said.

Watching residents achieve something when they feel they can't anymore was also rewarding.

"They'll do flower arranging or art and craft, and it's [amazing] to see them enjoying something."

Brian Turner, who has lived at White Gables for about three years, came into the service after "one or two falls" and needed care and support.

"[I like] the company and it's a nice place to live," he said.

"I just join in with what's going on and go with the flow."

Natalie Reed, director of adult social care in the central region for the CQC, said about 4% of services were rated as outstanding nationally, while in Suffolk it is about 14%.

She said outstanding services featured care tailored to each individual while leadership was "integral" in motivating staff.

She stressed, however, that a 'good' rating was still to be applauded.

"We want to see good care and we absolutely celebrate when good care is found," she said.

"Outstanding care is where services are going above and beyond, so it's more difficult to get than a good rating.

"It's really apparent when you cross the threshold and when you can see visibly how people are living an outstanding life."

Ruth French, director of French & Co Care Consulting, has worked in social care for about 16 years, having previously owned a group of award-winning care homes in East Anglia.

She advises care homes on maximising their potential and said the key to the rating was that "you must assume that every day is an inspection day, and you're not trying to be outstanding for the sake of the CQC".

"You're trying to be outstanding because you want to do the very best by the people that you're caring for," she explained.

Creating the most innovative care environment where people want to come and work was also important.

She added the focus had to be on knowing and understanding the people being cared for, all while taking positive risks to help them maintain as much independence as they require and want.

Additional reporting by Darren Rozier.

Do you have a story suggestion for Suffolk? Contact us below.

Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.