Enter and view: Ebony House Care Home

Healthwatch Waltham Forest undertook an Enter and View visit to Ebony House Care Home on 27 February 2018. The visit found that the home provided person-centred care for adults with learning disabilities and delivered a high standard of support that was tailored to residents’ individual needs. Residents were involved in decisions about their care and reported being happy living at the home. 

Staff were observed to interact with residents in a respectful, compassionate and professional manner. Healthwatch highlighted the home's strong focus on personalised support, including detailed transition planning for new residents, the use of Makaton sign language and pictorial communication tools, and adaptations to the environment to meet individual preferences and needs. The home also had a well-used sensory room and encouraged residents to develop skills and independence. 

The activities programme was identified as a particular strength. Residents had access to a wide range of opportunities through the provider's day centre and community activities, including arts and crafts, music, swimming, cooking, sports, holidays and accredited learning programmes. The service also supported residents to meet their cultural and spiritual needs and maintained strong involvement from relatives in planning and delivering care. 

Healthwatch concluded that Ebony House offered an exemplary level of care and identified it as an example of good practice. The only recommendations were that the provider share its approach with other organisations and introduce dementia training into its staff development programme to prepare staff for any future residents who may be living with dementia.