INSPECTORS have rated the care provided by a North-East baby hospice as “outstanding”.

Zoe’s Place in Middlesbrough, which provides care and support for young children with life limiting illnesses who have complex needs, is one of the first social care services to receive the top rating under new, tougher approach to inspection.

During an inspection in August, Care Quality Commission inspectors found that children using the service were receiving care which was safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led, from staff who were compassionate and delivered individualised care.

Inspectors were impressed at how staff interacted with the children and their families, supporting them with care and compassion. One parent told inspectors: “The staff give amazing support."

The report said staff working at the hospice “fully understood the needs of the children in their care” and staff were supported and encouraged to attend additional training.

Care plans for each child are detailed and include information about their individual medical history, specific care needs, their preferences, likes and dislikes and how they like to play.

Debbie Westhead, deputy chief inspector for adult social care in the region, said: “We found that Zoe’s Place was providing an outstanding service to the children it supported and to their families, and the team there should be extremely proud of the work they do.”

Zoe’s Place is registered to provide care and support for up to six children who have life limiting illnesses, with special and complex needs to varying degrees. The service offers respite, palliative and terminal care to children aged from birth to five years.

Head of care, Michelle Larkin, said: “I am absolutely over the moon. It’s all credit to my team at the hospice and the hard work that they do. It is nice to have it recognised by an external inspection team.”

The hospice is a charity and relies on raising at least £1.2m a year from donations.