The Brambles

Updated 30 April 2021

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of CQC’s response to the coronavirus pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 8 April 2021.

Updated 30 April 2021

The Brambles is a residential care home for four people with learning disabilities. There were three people living in the home at the time of the inspection. The home is on one level and each person was provided with their own bedroom. There was a communal living room and kitchen and a large dining area that was at the centre of the home.

At our last inspection in February 2016 we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and on-going monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

At this unannounced inspection on 27 February 2018 we found the service remained Good.

The registered provider also manages the service which means there is no requirement to have a separate registered manager.

The service was not always safe because potential risks to people had been recognised but information on how to minimise risks had not always been recorded. However the staff were aware of how to reduce risks to people. Staff understood their roles and responsibilities in relation to keeping people safe from harm and abuse. Medicines were managed safely. There were enough staff on duty to meet people’s support needs.

The service was effective because people’s needs were met by staff who were trained and supported to do their job well. People are supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff support them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice. People were helped to eat and drink enough. People’s health and wellbeing was maintained and provided through a range of health and social care professionals who visited the home.

The service was caring because staff treated people with kindness, compassion, dignity and respect. People had choices in all aspects of their daily lives and the staff created a homely atmosphere.

The service was responsive because staff knew people’s care and support needs and helped them to make the lifestyle choices they wanted. People and their relatives were involved in their personalised care plans. These gave staff the information they needed to provide the care and support each person needed. People were encouraged to take part in a range of activities that they enjoyed.

The service was well led because there was a registered provider in post who was approachable and provided good leadership. Quality assurance systems were in place to check that the service provided quality care and made improvements where necessary. People, their relatives and staff were encouraged to share their views about the service being provided.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.