July 21, 2026
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21 July 2026

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Amber Court Residential Care Home Turns the Tide

A Journey of Resilience and Teamwork


After months of relentless effort, tears and triumphs, Amber Court has been rated ‘Good’ by the CQC, marking a remarkable turnaround from its previous struggles. The announcement sparked celebrations among staff, residents and families, who stood together through one of the most challenging periods in the home’s history.


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The inspection highlighted significant improvements in safety, leadership, and the quality of care, acknowledging the home’s commitment to embedding robust processes and fostering a culture of transparency and collaboration. The report  praises the home for its ‘person-centred care’, ‘effective leadership’, and ‘responsive management’, a far cry from the dark days of warning notices and closure threats.

We did it together

For the management team the news was met with relief, tears, and pride.


‘I just cried,’ Bal Bisla, Owner, recalled. ‘The pain’s over. We did it.’


The journey was anything but easy. The team faced ‘relentless’ challenges: sleepless nights, financial strain, and the emotional toll of rebuilding trust with residents and families.


The Turning Point


The home’s transformation began with fire in the belly and a determination to prove that the care they delivered was ‘second to none’. Staff, many of whom were new to the home, rose to the occasion, embracing a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. 


‘Every day is a CQC day’   became the mantra, ensuring readiness and a commitment to excellence.


Support from the local authority, particularly from a dedicated Quality Assurance Officer played a pivotal role. Regular meetings, action plans, and a willingness to ‘reach out’ for help were instrumental in navigating the storm.


You cannot do it on your own,’ Bal emphasised . ‘There’s no place for egos.’

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Residents and Families


The news was met with flowers, cards, chocolates and hugs from residents and their families. Transparency had been key, even during the darkest moments the home maintained open communication, a decision that ultimately strengthened trust. ‘They brought us flowers,’ Bal shared. ‘They’ve been a constant part of this.’


A residents and family meeting became a poignant moment of celebration. ‘Their faces… it was just like, wow, this is really worth it’  Jannine Davies, Manager,   said.


Lessons Learned and the Road Ahead


The journey was not without its hardships. The savage CQC inspection left the team feeling ripped apart, but it also served as a catalyst for change. The home overhauled its processes, from data analysis to safeguarding protocols, and embraced a new inspection format that allowed them to ‘showcase where we shine’.

     

Key Takeaways for Other Care Homes

  • Collaboration is key : ‘Reach out. You cannot do it on your own.’
  • Transparency builds trust : Open communication with residents, families, and authorities is non-negotiable.
  • Processes matter : Embedding robust systems and using data effectively can transform care quality.
  • Team spirit wins : ‘We’ve got no life, but we’ve got each other,’   Jannine   joked, highlighting the bond that carried them through.

Looking ahead, Amber Court is already setting its sights on ‘Outstanding’ and  Jannine discussed with WMCA what’s going to take them from 'Good to Outstanding’. 

The answer lies in sustaining momentum, refining processes, and rediscovering the ‘fluffy stuff’, the small, joyful moments with residents that make care personal.

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A New Chapter


The ‘Good’ rating is a testament to the power of resilience, teamwork and an unwavering commitment to improvement. As Bal put it: ‘ We welcomed [the inspectors]. We were ready.’


For now, the home is celebrating with barbecues, garden days, and a renewed focus on resident-led activities. 


The journey doesn’t end here, if you have your own CQC worries please reach out to the WMCA team or Bal and the team at Amber Court, lets use our shared learnings and prove a ‘Good’ rating is more than a badge of honour.  

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🌟 Share Your Success to Inspire Others

We love celebrating the brilliant things happening across the care sector — and we know there’s so much good news out there. If your service has achieved something special, launched a new initiative, supported your community, or simply had a moment worth shouting about, we want to feature it in our Good News Friday posts.


Send your stories to events@wmca.care and help us shine a light on the amazing work happening every day in care.

     

🌟 Last Call for Excellence in Care Awards 2026 Nominations!

The deadline is nearly here — and this is your final reminder to nominate someone exceptional for the Excellence in Care Awards 2026. The nominations window closes on 31st July 2026, and no nominations will be accepted after this date.


These awards celebrate the people who make a genuine difference in care: the innovators, the compassionate leaders, the quiet heroes, and the teams who go above and beyond every day. If someone in your organisation deserves recognition, now is the moment to put their name forward.


👉 Nominate here: Excellence in Care Awards 2026


Help us shine a spotlight on excellence across the sector and ensure outstanding care is recognised and celebrated.

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Need Help completing the DSPT?

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West Midlands Care Association is your local  Better Security Better Care   support organisation, offering free online resources, workshops and one-to-one support to help CQC registered providers complete the DSPT.


We are also able to offer a free onsite, in-person Digital  Health Check .


Click the buttons for more info.

     

Click for a full list of upcoming events

     

For all the latest news and updates relevant to the social care sector, check out the "News and Info" section of our website.

     

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West Midlands Care Association  enquiries@wmca.care  01384 943000

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