STAFF and residents at a council care home for adults with learning disabilities are celebrating after they were praised by inspectors.

Jervaulx Road Residential Care Home in Skelton, which delivers personal care for adults with a learning disability, was rated good overall but outstanding in the responding to people’s needs category.

Care Quality Commission inspectors made an unannounced visit to the home in December and assessed the home as good in the safety, effectiveness, leadership and caring categories.

The inspectors noted that the service had: “Developed innovative ways of empowering people to move on to independent living.”

They also praised the facility’s Stepping Stones project, which offers residents an intensive programme of independent life skills support.

Michelle Skjelhaug, manager of Jervaulx, said: “I’d like to thank all our staff and, of course, all our residents for this positive result. I was especially pleased that residents said they felt safe and supported and had good relationships with our staff. Now we all determined to earn an overall outstanding rating next time.”

Three residents at the home are taking part in the Stepping Stones programme.

Paula West, 40, said that she had learned living skills and hoped to move into her own home. “I like living here and learning new things,” she said.

Speaking about the Stepping Stones scheme, deputy manager of Jervaulx, Tracy Clark said: “We have had people come to us and their parents worried they might struggle to make a cup of tea alone.

“A few months later they come back and they make their parents a full meal.

“It is wonderful to see.”