The Care Quality Commission

Archived: Birch House

The Street, Appledore, Ashford, Kent, TN26 2AF (01233) 758527

Provided and run by:
Nexus Direct

Important: The provider of this service changed. See new profile

All Inspections

1 July 2013

During a routine inspection

There were three people living at Birch House at the time of our inspection. They told us that they were happy living at the service and that the staff are kind. One person said 'I am happy living here, it's my home', another person told us 'I have lots of good things to do that I like'.

Our last inspection of 4 March 2013 found that care plans needed updating and not everybody's support needs had been assessed. Staff had not felt supported and appraisals had not been completed. Some checks to monitor the service had not been carried out regularly or were not effective in improving the quality of care provided.

At this inspection we found that care plans had been updated. They assessed people's needs and set out the support they required. Staff supervisions were in place together with effective systems intended to monitor and improve the quality of care provided.

We looked at other areas during this inspection to make sure that people had consented to the care and treatment they received. We also checked to make sure that people had access to a variety of food and that choice was available to them about what to eat and drink.

We found that people had been asked about the care and support they wanted and had agreed to it. Each person told us that they enjoyed the food and they could choose and plan meals. Some people helped with the food shopping. One person said 'We asked for a BBQ, we're having that today'.

4 March 2013

During a routine inspection

We spoke with two people who used the service, the manager and three staff. The manager had only been in post two days and had previously managed another service owned by the same provider.

People told us they were able to make decisions and choices in their day to day lives. They said their privacy was respected.

People said they were satisfied with their care and support and liked living at Birch House. They thought their care plans may need updating. We found that care plans did need updating and not all people's support needs had been assessed.

People told us they felt safe living at Birch House and thought highly of the staff. One person said, 'the staff we have now are good'. We found that over a period of time staff had not been fully supported or received an appraisal.

People had been able to express their views on the service provided in a questionnaire. One person said of the service, 'Things haven't always been sorted out, but they are being now. X (member of staff) is good'. We found that some checks to monitor the service had not been carried out regularly or were not effective in improving the quality of care provided.