Birling House

Ratings

• Overall

  Good

• Safe

  Good

• Effective

  Good

• Caring

  Good

• Responsive

  Good

• Well-led

  Good

Our view of the service

We carried out this assessment between 3 April to 2 May 2025. Birling House provides accommodation and personal care for up to 29 people with physical disabilities, learning disabilities, neurological diseases, such as Huntington’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease and Multiple Sclerosis. The accommodation is arranged over two floors. A passenger lift is available to take people between floors. At the time of our inspection there were 27 people using the service. This assessment was carried out due to the aged rating of the service.

At the time of this inspection, the service was supporting 3 people with a learning disability. We assessed the service against ‘Right Support, right care, right culture’ guidance to make judgements about whether the provider guaranteed people with a learning disability respect, equality, dignity, choices, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted.

At the last inspection 3 June 2017, the service was rated Good in all domains. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

We spoke with people who used the service, their relatives, staff and the management team. We received feedback from professionals involved in the service. We reviewed people’s care records, staff records and documents related to the management of the service. We observed staff supporting people in communal areas.

Risks to people were managed effectively to reduce the likelihood of harm, and people were safeguarded from the risk of abuse. Lessons were shared when things went wrong. There were enough staff available to support people, and staff were supported to be effective in their roles. Staff were trained and followed infection control procedures, and the health and safety of the environment was promoted.

People were supported to eat a balanced diet and drink enough to keep hydrated. People had access to the health care services they needed, and staff liaised effectively with other services to optimise people’s health and well-being. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives, and staff supported them in the least restrictive ways possible. The policies and systems at the service supported this practice.

Staff were exceptionally caring and kind. People were treated with dignity and respect and their independence promoted. People’s needs were assessed and planned for, and care plans detailed people’s individual needs and how to meet them. People’s end-of-life wishes were documented in their care plans.

Complaints were appropriately addressed in line with the provider’s procedure. There was visible leadership, and the service had effective systems in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service.

People's experience of this service

People were very positive about the quality of care they received at Birling House. They felt safe and understood their rights. People said they received good quality care from staff who knew them well and treated them as individuals. Several people described how staff treated them kindly and made sure that any personal care was done sensitively, respecting and preservingtheir privacy and dignity. They also said the service provided interesting activities to keep them physically and mentally active. Some people could not directly tell us about their experience. We used a structured observation tool to assess whether they received good care. This showed people were included and listened to, and staff consistently interacted positively with them. People felt able to complain and were confident action would be taken, and improvements would be made. People knew staff and leaders well.