Background to this inspection
Updated
10 November 2022
The inspection
This was a targeted inspection to check whether the provider had met the requirements for the specific concern we had about fire safety. We will assess all of the key question at the next comprehensive inspection of the service.
Inspection team
The inspection team consisted of two inspectors.
Service and Service Type
Birchwood House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Birchwood House is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
Registered Manager
This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
Notice of Inspection
We gave the service 18 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because the service is small, and people are often out. We wanted to be sure the manager and staff would be in the office to support the inspection.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority. The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with three members of staff including the registered manager and two care staff. We reviewed a range of fire safety documents including the fire policy, fire risk assessment and fire alarm testing. We carried out observations to check the fire signage and the fire assembly point. We also checked the training staff received around fire safety. After the inspection, we continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found and we spoke with one staff member over the telephone.
Updated
10 November 2022
About the service
Birchwood House is a residential care home providing personal care to six people with learning disabilities at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to seven people in one building.
The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.
People’s experience of using this service
We have made one recommendation about staff training.
People, a relative and staff spoke positively about the leadership in the service. The provider carried out quality checks to identify areas for improvement. People and staff had regular meetings so they could be updated on service development and could give their views about the service. The provider worked jointly with other agencies to achieve good outcomes for people.
Staff were supported in their role with supervision and appraisals. People’s care needs were assessed before they began to use the service. Staff supported people with their nutritional, hydration and healthcare needs.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.
The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.
People using the service had risk assessments carried out to protect them from the risks of avoidable harm. Staff knew about safeguarding and whistleblowing procedures. Medicines were managed safely and people were protected from the risks associated with the spread of infection. The provider had a system in place to learn lessons from accidents and incidents.
People and a relative told us staff were caring. Staff demonstrated they knew people and their care needs well. The provider and staff understood how to provide a fair and equal service. People were involved in their care planning and were encouraged to make choices. Relatives were kept informed of their relative’s wellbeing. Staff understood how to maintain people’s privacy, dignity and independence.
Care plans were detailed and personalised. Staff understood how to deliver a personalised care service. People’s communication needs were met. People participated in a range of activities that interested them. There was a system in place for people to make a complaint. People had an end of life care plan in place so staff would know how to provide care in accordance with their wishes should this be required.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was good (published 24 July 2017)
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.