A care home group launched just a few years ago as a farm diversification has achieved a significant industry honour, with three of its homes now rated ‘outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

In an unannounced visit, CQC inspectors went to Stowlangtoft Hall in Suffolk in October and rated the home ‘outstanding’ overall and scored ‘outstanding’ in the ‘caring’ and ‘responsive’ categories.

A spokesperson for the home said: “Care and compassion were at the heart of the ethos of staff’s practice and fundamental to the care people and also their relatives received.

“Staff understood the level of care needed to ensure a truly person-centred service was delivered to people. This involved understanding and recognising the small detail that was vital and unique to each person.”

The achievement tops a hugely successful 12 months for the care group, which has already achieved ‘outstanding’ at homes in Brandon and Thetford as well as scooping a top award for Residential Care Providers of the Year from LaingBuisson last year.

Roger Catchpole, managing director, said: “I founded Stow Healthcare with my family just over eight years ago. In that time, we have taken on five homes, all of which had troubled pasts, and all of which we have improved beyond measure, with three homes now rated ‘outstanding.’

“For Stowlangtoft to achieve the ‘outstanding’ rating sees it in a very exclusive club of quality homes, which we are very proud to belong to.”