Darlington Extra Care Service rated Good by the CQC

Published 12 February 2024

Our Darlington Extra Care Service has been awarded a top grade after an inspection by the CQC. Inspectors paid a visit to the 4 services on 18 December 2023 and were impressed with the level of care across all four services, rating them highly across a list of criteria including safety, leadership, and responsiveness.

The report, which has just been published in full on the CQC website, highlighted that “people shared positive feedback with us about their experience of Darlington Extra Care Services. They felt the staff enabled them to keep safe” and that “people were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives.”

The inspector spent time with three people who used the service as well as nine relatives, asking questions about their experience of the care provided. They also spoke with and received feedback from 16 members of the staff team.

Rebecca Liddle, registered manager, said: “Retaining our CQC Good rating is testament to the hard work, endless good humour and dedication of all our team members.

“Making Space respects and values its employees, investing in ongoing training and development. It is clear that when you look after your teams, you are enabling them to better look after the people they support.

“We are delighted to be rated so highly by the CQC and will continue to give of our best every single day.”

Nick Farmer, chief operating office, said: “The rating demonstrates the significant efforts the team, inspirationally led by the wonderful Rebecca, put in to strive for excellence in delivering high-quality and compassionate care.

“The team works exceptionally hard to give the people they support the highest quality of life and to help them maintain their independence. The CQC inspectors couldn’t have failed to be impressed with what a well run and caring service looks like.”

The four assisted living housing schemes that make up Darlington Extra Care are Dalkeith House, Mayflower Court, Oban Court and Rosemary Court.

Darlington Extra Care was last inspected in February 2018, when it was also rated as Good.

Great work everyone!