Birnbeck House - Care Home Learning Disabilities

Updated 20 November 2020

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 care homes with outbreaks of coronavirus, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control practice was safe and the service was compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 4 November 2020 and was announced.

Updated 20 November 2020

About the service: Birnbeck House - Care Home Learning Disabilities provides accommodation and personal care for up to 13 people with learning disabilities.

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.

The service was a large home, bigger than most domestic style properties. It was registered for the support of up to 13 people. 13 people were using the service at the time of the inspection. This is larger than current best practice guidance. However, the size of the service having a negative impact on people was mitigated by the building design fitting into the residential area and the other large domestic homes of a similar size.

People’s experience of using this service: People were supported by caring, passionate and enthusiastic staff. There was a positive staff culture, stable and effective management and a friendly atmosphere at the service.

People were supported to engage in activities of their choice and reflective of their interests. New opportunities were regularly offered to people. Staffing levels enabled people to be supported in the community and to participate in social clubs and events.

The service was clean and tidy with a pleasant garden area. Regular checks on the environment and equipment were completed.

Care and support was person centred and promoted people’s independence. People’s choices were respected.

Medicines were administered safely. People were supported to access healthcare services. We received consistent feedback from health and social care professionals about the quality of care provided.

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.

For more details, please see the full report which is on CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection: The last rating for this service was Good (published 8 February 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.