The Cherries

Updated 4 March 2022

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 COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at how services manage infection control and visiting arrangements. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider had in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

This inspection took place on 22 February 2022 and was announced. We gave the service 24 hours notice of the inspection.

Updated 4 March 2022

This inspection took place on 25 and 26 October 2017. It was an unannounced visit to the service.

The Cherries is a residential care home for seven people with learning disabilities. At the time of the inspection six people lived at the home. The care home is located within a residential town in Buckinghamshire. The main home is a two story building with communal and kitchen areas upstairs and bedrooms and bathrooms located on the lower ground floor.

At the last inspection, the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

We received positive feedback from people and their relatives. We also observed positive interactions between people and staff. People told us they had developed a good working relationship with the staff. Comments included “I am really happy here,” “It’s good” and “They [staff] couldn’t do anything more for them.” A relative told us “I wouldn’t want my son to be anywhere else.”

People were protected from bullying and avoidable harm. Staff had a good understanding of how to recognise abuse and what to do in the event of a concern being raised. The service had clear processes in place to manage allegations of abuse and staff had received training.

Risks posed to people had been assessed and systems were in place to mitigate and reduce the risk of harm to people.

We observed people were supported by staff who were able to respond to their care needs when required.

People who required support with their prescribed medicines received this by staff who had received training. We found there were safe medicine management practices in place.

People were supported by staff who were supported to maintain their skills and develop new skills in line with best practice. Staff felt supported by the management team.

People’s human rights were supported. People were supported to understand and make decisions about their care needs.

People were encouraged to maintain a healthy, balanced diet. People were supported to maintain their health and attend any external healthcare appointments.

People told us they were supported to maintain and improve their level of independence. One person told us “I like being independent, I like going out and meeting people in the local area.” A relative told us “He is so wonderful now, when he first moved into the home he did not have a lot of speech. I now am able to speak to him on the phone.”

We observed people were treated with dignity and respect. People were relaxed in the company of staff and were seen to be smiling and laughing with staff.

People received a personalised service as staff worked with them to understand their hopes and wishes. Care plans were written to support people achieve their aspirations. Reviews of care plans and support provided were undertaken in a way people could understand.

People were 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.

There was a clear culture among the staff to support people achieve their potential and live the life they choose without barriers.

The service ensured it monitored the provision of care to drive improvements.

The registered manager was aware of their role and responsibilities. They had a good understanding of what needed to be reported to The Care Quality Commission (CQC) and how to meet the fundamental standards.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.