A care home in Yeovil has been rated outstanding following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission.
Cookson’s Court received the top rating from the CQC, with inspectors praising staff for their dedication.
The home, which supports up to 65 older adults and was caring for 47 residents at the time of inspection, was rated outstanding in two categories, caring and well-led, and good in safe, effective, and responsive.
Stefan Kallee, CQC’s deputy director of adult social care for the South West, said: "When we inspected Cookson’s Court, we found a home with excellent leadership and a staff team who clearly cared deeply about the people they supported.
"Leaders had a strong, clear vision for the home and a real commitment to openness and transparency.
"They were visible, approachable and led by example and that leadership made a real difference to the quality of care people received every day.
"We were impressed at how the team understood the individual needs, interests and preferences of each person living there going above and beyond to help them lead full and meaningful lives.
"We saw strong systems in place to make sure concerns were heard and acted on, and the registered manager fostered a culture where staff felt comfortable raising issues, which ultimately benefits the people living there.
"I want to congratulate the registered manager and the whole team at Cookson’s Court.
"Other services should look to see what they can learn from this report."
CQC inspectors highlighted a strong culture of safety at the home.
All incidents were thoroughly investigated, with learning shared across the organisation to prevent repeat occurrences and improve protection for residents over time.
Cookson’s Court was commended for its approach to admitting people with complex or specialist needs, including arranging specialist clinical training for staff before a new resident with particular requirements moved in.
Residents were supported to stay connected with the wider community through visits to cafés, museums, and the coast.
They were encouraged to pursue their interests and make meaningful choices about their daily routines, meals, and finances where appropriate.
When faced with a rise in urinary infections, the home introduced additional hydration stations and delivered extra staff training, a proactive measure that helped improve residents' health.
The service was also noted for its community links with organisations, including a primary school, library, and café.
In one example of personalised care, a resident who enjoyed gardening was supported to grow vegetables, which were then used in the home’s kitchen.
Residents were given support to remain as independent as possible, with staff helping them manage day-to-day decisions and activities.
The CQC also praised management for being visible, approachable and fostering an open culture.
This culture encouraged staff to speak up about concerns, which contributed to continual improvement in care.
The inspection, carried out in December, was part of the CQC’s check on the quality and safety of the care being provided.
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