Thornfield Grange achieves autism accreditation

Thornfield Grange, a residential social care service for adults with autism, has been awarded Autism Accreditation by the National Autistic Society (NAS), recognising its commitment to delivering high-quality, person-centred support for autistic people.

The accreditation is the UK’s only autism-specific quality assurance programme and is internationally recognised as a mark of excellence.

It is awarded to organisations which demonstrate best practice and a deep understanding of how to support autistic individuals to lead fulfilling and independent lives.

The NAS described Thornfield Grange in Etherley Lane, Bishop Auckland, as demonstrating ‘a strong commitment to promoting the emotional wellbeing, safety, and quality of life of each autistic person through a person-centred and proactive approach’.

The assessment report for the Cygnet Social Care service said: “Staff consistently recognise subtle signs of distress, and respond with empathy and skill to support emotional regulation and self-esteem.

“The environment is thoughtfully adapted to promote comfort, autonomy, and engagement, with meaningful activities embedded throughout the day to foster enjoyment, skill development, and social inclusion.”

Kelly Neave, manager at Thornfield Grange, said: “Achieving accreditation from the National Autistic Society is a significant milestone that highlights our commitment to enhancing the lives of those we support.

“This achievement signifies our dedication to integrating evidence-based practices, delivering individualised and person-centred care, and empowering our residents to lead fulfilling lives.

“It is the culmination of extensive efforts and unwavering dedication from our outstanding team, who work collaboratively with residents, their families, and the Thornfield Grange team to maintain the highest standards of support.”

The NAS assessors praised Thornfield Grange for creating a safe and supportive environment where ‘autistic individuals appeared to feel safe, calm, and at ease’.

And staff were recognised for demonstrating ‘a strong understanding of each autistic person’s individual support needs’ and for using ‘pro-active and preventative strategies to reduce the likelihood of anxiety, confusion, or distress’.

Assessors observed: “All individuals appeared happy and engaged in their sessions with staff consistently reinforcing positive behaviour with regular, meaningful verbal praise such as ‘good job’ and ‘that’s amazing’.”

Inspectors also highlighted the way staff supported individuals to regulate emotions and develop independence.

“When subtle signs of heightened anxiety were recognised, staff skilfully employed well-established strategies such as distraction and redirection,” the report stated.

“Positive support strategies enabled individuals to keep themselves and others safe, while promoting functional skill development and self awareness.”

And the environment at Thornfield Grange was praised for being well thought out and reflective of residents’ preferences.

Assessors observed that ‘bedrooms are decorated in accordance with individual preferences’ and that ‘corridors have been decorated with pictures of residents in the home or on activities’.

They also noted creative sensory-friendly adaptations such as a fish tank with visual information sheets, personalised sensory walls, and a clutter-free, calming communal space.