Celebrations are in full swing at Borovere Care Home in Alton as the home received a ‘Good’ rating from the adult social care regulator, CQC (Care Quality Commission). Residents and staff held a summer fayre for friends, family and neighbours to celebrate the report, which praised the home’s highly trained staff and supportive manager.

The home, which is run by not-for-profit provider Greensleeves Care and operated in Alton since 2005, retained its overall ‘Good’ rating following the latest CQC inspection in April. This time the home also achieved individual ‘Good’ ratings in all five areas of inspection: ‘Safe,’ ‘Well-led,’ ‘Caring,’ ‘Responsive’ and ‘Effective.’

The report praised Borovere’s diligent staff training, noting that staff were confident they could identify and report any concerns, had a strong awareness of health and safety policies, were able to identify any risks to safety, and were found to be competent at safely administering medication.

The CQC found Borovere to be consistently managed and well-led by the home manager and extended senior leadership team at Greensleeves Care. The report also stated that the culture created by management at the home promoted high-quality, person-centred care, as well as an open and fair culture.

A relative of one of the home’s residents told the CQC, “The manager is accessible, we have no complaints about her. She is pleasant and always willing to chat over any small problems with us.”

Home manager, Karen Shepperdson, has been at the helm of the home for over 10 years. Speaking about the latest CQC report, she said:

“I am thrilled to have maintained our overall ‘Good’ rating and get the same acknowledgement for each individual category. The result speaks to the robust training our staff get, which enables them to deliver excellent, high-quality care.”

“I am pleased that the report found the culture at Borovere to be supportive, open and transparent. As a home manager, both my residents and my staff are my priorities, and I believe that a well-supported and empowered team translates to well-supported and empowered residents.

The fact that we are celebrating with our staff, residents and their friends and families is also fantastic: we have created a real community of care here at Borovere and events like this really showcase the family feel we have at the home.”

Staff and residents marked the occasion alongside friends and families, with Millers Ark, a firm favourite for animal lovers, and some fantastic entertainment, ranging from Opera to a folk band.