An 'exceptionally caring' supported housing service in Lowestoft has been rated Outstanding by inspectors.

Clover Court, on Clapham Road South and ran by Sanctuary Supported Living, opened its doors last year, to replace the old Shaftesbury Court site.

The service provides 24-hour care and support for people with physical disabilities.

Local service manager Lesley Pyner said: 'It has been a wonderful first year for everyone here at Clover Court and we are delighted to achieve an outstanding rating in our very first CQC inspection.

'Our residents are at the heart of everything we do and we look forward to celebrating this fantastic news with them.'

The inspection, which was carried out on January 10, assessed personal care and support offered to service users, rather than regulating premises used for supported living.

The Care Quality Commission report states: 'People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible.

'People and their relatives told us they felt safe being supported by the service and staff made them feel safe. Risks to people were appropriately planned for and managed.

'The service was exceptionally caring. People told us staff were nice to them and were heavily committed to promoting independent living.

'People's lives had been enhanced by the support provided by the service, which utilised technology to enable people to live more independently than they had been able to in their previous lives.

'The service provided people with care that was exceptionally person centred. People received personalised care that met their individual needs and preferences.'

In October 2018 the service celebrated success at the Suffolk Care Awards, taking home the Promoting Dignity and Respect in Everyday Life Award.

Sara Keetley, operations director with Sanctuary Supported Living, said: 'We are very proud of the whole team at Clover Court and are delighted that their commitment to provide the highest levels of care and support has been recognised in this report.

'We will be working hard to build on this success and continue to deliver results at the highest level across all of our services.'