The new manager of a care provider centred around the personal care of older people and those with a physical disability, sensory impairment or dementia, has been highly praised in the latest care watchdog report.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspected YourLife based on St Lukes Road in Maidenhead from January 17 to February 1.

They found the company to have met all categories up for inspection, with the CQC giving YourLife a 'good' rating.

The care providers at YourLife assist people across their 60-apartment complex. Not all residents receive personal care from staff, which includes tasks related to personal hygiene and eating.

The report opens: "We found areas of good practice. Staff understood and responded appropriately to people’s care and support needs, and systems were in place to identify and respond to risks, including safeguarding concerns.

"The service had experienced a period of management turnover. We received positive feedback about the new manager, and support offered by the provider, but identified further improvements were required to ensure governance systems were embedded and sustained to effectively monitor the quality of the service."

The new manager, Marlene Tagliavini, was appointed in December 2023 and has been highly praised by relatives.

Comments received by CQC include “She is very visible”, “The new manager seems to be on the ball” and “She is open and honest."

It comes after residents expressed concern about management turnover and whether the previous managers were working effectively.

On the subject of 'well-led' the CQC added: "The new manager was committed to their role and was closely supported by the registered manager and provider.

"A system of daily and monthly service audits were in place, with additional audits conducted at a provider level.

"However, we found these audits were not fully effective, as they had failed to identify some of the concerns we found during our assessment."

Residents who received care have reported being treated with "kindness and respect" with a "personalised" staff approach to meet people's individual needs.

As a whole, the service "prioritised and effectively responded to safety concerns" and kept care users safe from avoidable harm.

Staff receive appropriate training, however, the CQC identified a concern with a staff member's recruitment check which the company responded to while the health watchdog was present.

It was also identified that medicine recording could be improved.

Staff felt that the company had "open and effective communication" with relatives kept in the loop about the resident's care and when incidents occurred. 

Safeguarding and understanding of whistleblowing procedures were demonstrated effectively and staff showed an understanding of maintaining clean, safe and well-maintained environments.

A staff member told the CQC: “There is great teamwork and flexibility in working hours.”

While further comments from residents read: “They will alert me to minor things. The carers are excellent” and “Very nice and always chatty, if they have a concern, they will give feedback to the manager."

YourLife has been contacted for comment on the report.