Otterburn House is the fourth Exemplar Health Care care home to receive the Quality Assured accreditation.
When we started supporting people with Huntington’s disease at Otterburn, it became my mission to achieve the ‘Quality Assured’ tick too. I wanted families to know that our care isn’t just something we say is excellent - it’s something recognised by the Huntington’s Disease Association as well. I’m so proud that we’ve achieved it. - Naomi Jones, Care Home Manager
Otterburn's mission is to make every day better for adults living with complex needs, and the incredible colleagues who support them. They are home to 30 adults living with complex mental health needs and neurological conditions, including seven people with Huntington’s disease.
The home is split into three ten-bed units, which gives it a really homely feel and makes it easier for them to build strong, supportive relationships with each person. Each unit is nurse-led with a team of Health Care Assistants. Our staffing levels are based on individual need, so people always get the right care at the right time.
There’s also a real sense of family here - we know each person well, celebrate their individuality, and work closely with loved ones so that everyone feels part of our community.
Why did you decide to get your care home accredited?
We know that the illness doesn’t just affect the person - it affects everyone around them - so it’s important to us that we provide holistic care that adapts as the illness changes. For that, we need a stable and dedicated workforce who really understand Huntington’s. Accreditation felt like the right way to show our commitment to people living with the illness, and to make sure families feel confident and supported too. The accreditation is such an important milestone for us. It shows the dedication of our team and highlights the value of working together with professionals to provide the very best care.
How did you find the process of the accreditation?
Gathering the evidence for the portfolio was a long process, but it was also a great opportunity to reflect on everything we do well. The two-day inspection was really positive - the inspectors were reassuring and encouraging, and their feedback helped us see where we could get even better - such as strengthening induction for senior colleagues, improving how we learn from exit interviews, and adapting physiotherapy care plans so they’re easier for care staff to use day-to-day. Our team were a little nervous at first, but they soon realised it was their chance to shine. They really enjoyed showing the inspectors how passionate they are, and it was wonderful to see how proud they were afterwards.
What would you say to other care homes thinking about accreditation?
Do it! Choosing a care home for a loved one is one of the hardest decisions a family will ever make. Having accreditation gives families that extra peace of mind that their loved one will be well cared for.
It’s also a huge boost for your team. It’s a way of recognising and celebrating their hard work, passion and commitment. For us, it’s an honour to achieve accreditation, and it motivates us to keep building on what we do.
Since achieving accreditation, we’ve seen a real step up in the confidence and consistency of our care. The training and reflection involved in the process means our colleagues have an even deeper understanding of Huntington’s disease, which helps them provide more tailored support as people’s needs change. Families have told us they notice the difference too - whether it’s in how we communicate, how quickly we adapt care plans, or how supported they feel.
Advisory Service Team Leader, Helen Santini, Huntington's Disease Association said:
The whole staff team had passion and took pride in the process. There is good staff training in place, with good knowledge and understanding among staff, as well as a real desire to listen to feedback. There were some lovely examples of a strong team and of activities happening at the home and the team should be proud of the care they give.
Quality Assured care home accreditation
If you are interested in finding out more about our care home accreditation scheme, or if you would like to see our directory of accredited homes, you can find out more below.