The team at Otterburn care home in Birmingham is celebrating becoming one of just 13 care homes in the UK to meet the rigorous standards required to be accredited by the Huntington’s Disease Association (HDA) under its prestigious ‘Quality Assured’ kitemark scheme.
This accreditation recognises care services that demonstrate the behaviours, culture, and specialist practices essential in caring for people affected by Huntington’s disease.
In their report, HDA assessors praised Otterburn’s team for their dedication and care, noting the home's “welcoming” atmosphere, “motivated” team members, and reflecting that colleagues should be “proud of the care they give.”
National recognition from the HDA
Helen Santini, Team Leader - Advisory Service and Specialist Advisor at the HDA, commented:
"We are pleased to add Otterburn to our register of accredited care homes.
“They’ve clearly worked hard to achieve accreditation, and the whole staff team showed passion and pride throughout the process.
“There is good staff training in place, with good knowledge and understanding of Huntington’s disease, and a real desire to listen to feedback.
“We saw some lovely examples of a strong team and of activities happening at the home and the team should be proud of the care they give.”
Otterburn now joins 12 other services in the HDA’s Quality Assured care home directory, Quality Assured Care Home Directory and becomes the fourth Exemplar Health Care service to receive this accreditation.
A milestone for Otterburn
Naomi Jones, Home Manager at Otterburn, said:
“We’re immensely proud to have achieved this accreditation. It reflects the dedication of our whole team, who go above and beyond to ensure people living with Huntington’s disease are supported to live meaningful lives.
“Choosing a care home for a loved one is one of the hardest decisions a family can face. This accreditation offers families added peace of mind that their loved one will be well cared for.”
The HDA’s Quality Assured scheme is built around nine core standards, developed by people affected by Huntington’s disease, their families, and caregivers.
These standards focus on areas such as staff training, nutrition, behaviour and cognition, communication, and social stimulation.
Enhancing confidence and quality of care
Reflecting on the process, Naomi added:
“Since beginning the accreditation journey, we’ve seen a real step up in the confidence and consistency of our care.
“The training and reflection involved in the process have deepened our team’s understanding of Huntington’s disease, enabling us to provide more tailored, person-centred support as people’s needs change.
“Families have told us they’ve noticed the difference too - whether in how we communicate, how quickly we adapt care plans, or how supported they feel.
“Going through this process has motivated us to keep improving and building on the high standards we’ve set.”
Otterburn supports up to 30 adults living with complex mental health needs and neurological conditions, including seven individuals with Huntington’s disease. The home received its accreditation in September 2025.
Read more about Otterburn care home
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