A CWP mental health service has received the highest accreditation from the National Autistic Society for its efforts to improve patient experience for autistic young people.
Ancora House in Chester is a specialist inpatient unit run by Cheshire and Wirral Partnership, which provides assessment and treatment for young people with mental health difficulties. It also includes Ancora House School – a pupil referral unit, providing education for young people on the unit.
In 2021, Ancora House was awarded the NAS Specialist Award and the team has since been working towards achieving the Advanced Specialist Award. The process has taken 12 months and concluded with a three-day assessment from the NAS in December 2024.
On 27 January 2025, the team received official notification that they had successfully achieved Advanced Specialist Award status.
Some of the changes made during the accreditation process include installing sound absorbers in the ceilings to reduce noise levels on the unit, developing easy-read versions of patient literature, making changes to furniture and the introduction of a sensory room.
Autism awareness training is also now included in the local induction for new starters at Ancora House to ensure all staff have a good understanding of the condition.
On their rationale for awarding Ancora House with the Advanced Accreditation, the NAS commented on the “standards of excellence” they observed in supporting autistic young people.
They also commented that staff on the unit “have a comprehensive understanding of evidence-informed approaches associated with good autism practice” and that they “ensure support is person-centred and tailored to individual abilities, interests, preferences, and challenges.”
Terri-Anne Nolan, Ward Manager at Ancora House, said:
“Many of the young people who come to stay at Ancora House are neurodivergent, so it’s really important that we adapt our environment and the way we work to meet individual needs and provide person-centred care.”
“We are incredibly proud to have achieved the accreditation and it is testament to the passion and dedication of the whole team here at Ancora House to improve the experiences of autistic young people.”
For more information about Ancora House, visit:
www.
