Outstanding Headway re-accreditation success at Sanderling House!

Sanderling House is our specialist brain injury care home in the heart of Merseyside. Delivering holistic, community-based care to people living with an acquired brain injury, they’re proud members of the Headway Approved Provider scheme. Over the years, their accreditation by the scheme has been a key factor to making incredible achievements with the people we support.

As the UK’s leading brain injury organisation, Headway’s accreditation scheme recognises excellence in supporting the outcomes of people living with brain injuries. Previously maintaining a consistent ‘Good’ rating, our team were proud recipients of an ‘Outstanding’ rating when they were re-accredited in August 2025!

Led by industry experts, Headway’s accreditation scheme aims to guide and shape brain injury support in residential homes across the UK. So, by achieving an ‘Outstanding’ rating, our team at Sanderling House demonstrated how they’re ensuring their support achieves the best possible outcomes for the people we support – and there’s lots of ways they’re doing this!

Steps to Headway Success

During their re-accreditation, our team were assessed on the different systems and processes they follow to monitor and support individual progress. How they develop as a team to nurture the unique and changing needs of each person we support was also evaluated.

Ahead of their assessment meeting, our team gathered lots of information that demonstrated the progress they’ve made in these areas, what processes are in place, and what impact they’ve had on the people we support. They collected lots of case studies about the people we support, showing how our team are supporting their individual needs and helping them seek the right opportunities to lead meaningful lives. They also gathered information about how the team’s collaborated with each other and professionals in the community – like therapists – to further promote the wellbeing of the people we support!

Person-centred systems and processes

Part of the accreditation assessment looked at how our team’s promoting everyday health and wellbeing equality through different support systems and processes. Through individual person profiles, our team showed how they support the unique health requirements of each person and how they collaborate with a range of community-based health professionals to fully support these needs.

During their assessment, our team presented a few creative ways they empower health and happiness at Sanderling House. One process that stood out in their assessment was their focus on celebrating culture and diversity.

For many people who suffer a brain injury, their sense of identity can be damaged or lost. But cultural roots run deep and offer an important branch to supporting health and wellbeing. Understanding this, our team hold culture at the heart of their support.

Introducing a cultural orientation board, featuring written prompts in our housemates’ native languages, our team have enhanced feelings of inclusion and connected the people we support to their heritages. They teach each other and our team new words and correct spellings on the board. Our team also introduced activity planners and posters translated into other languages, as well as broadening menu choices – everyone at Sanderling House can tuck into international cuisine if they choose!

Community and creativity

Another way they’ve demonstrated this sense of inclusion and community as a processes for promoting positive wellbeing is through art! Creative activities can support many aspects of brain injury rehabilitation. It can help them process stuck emotions, trauma, and express things that are hard to say. Through group sessions, art can also build bonds and create a sense of community.

Art is also an important part of the Headway accreditation assessment criteria. Every day, our team at Sanderling House engage the people we support in lots of different artistic activities, which they choose in collaboration with their community Dramatherapist.

This important process also helped the team demonstrate how they’ve embraced team development. Working closely with their Dramatherapist, they embarked on some specialised training, learning how to weave creative exercises into their support. So, individuals can engage with therapeutic, creative activities as a natural part of daily life!

In 2025, the household embarked on a big adventure together and went on holiday to Wales! One person we support is originally from there, so, during the holiday, our team supported them to visit their hometown. This proved to be very meaningful and boosted their mental health! Without their collaboration and good team relationships, the carefully planned trip wouldn’t have been possible – something their accreditation recognises.

An outstanding team

In 2025, our team had lots to celebrate and receiving their ‘Outstanding’ accreditation gave them even more to be proud of! An ‘Outstanding’ rating recognises how their inspirational approach improves the lives of the people we support with a brain injury. This esteemed accreditation also offers reassurance that Sanderling House meets the industry standards of care and support required for individuals to lead fulfilling lives. And our team are continuing to think creatively and continuously collaborate with other professionals to ensure their support is truly meaningful.