Updated 13 May 2026
Date of the assessment: 19 to 27 May 2026.
Birch Social Limited is a domiciliary care service that provides support and personal care to people in their own homes. Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do, we also consider any wider social care provided. This is the first inspection for this newly registered service. At the time of our inspection 1 person was receiving support with personal care, they did not need staff to support with any medication. The provider had the service user band of learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder; however, at the time of our inspection had not yet supported anyone who had a learning disability or autism.
Safeguarding procedures were in place. The provider learned from accidents, incidents and events. People had access to health and social care professionals to ensure their healthcare needs were met. People were involved in their care and records were person centred. People’s rights were fully respected, and consent was sought from people. Staff were kind and caring, taking into consideration people’s individuality.
People were protected from the risk of harm and abuse; safeguarding processes were clear and robust. Risks to people were assessed, reviewed and managed well to ensure they remained safe.
Care plans were detailed and provided sufficient guidance for staff to keep people safe. Appropriately trained, and supported staff supported people. Recruitment processes were followed correctly.
Staff understood how to ensure people’s rights were fully respected and had received training and supervision to ensure it was happening in practice. Staff respected people’s dignity and privacy, and people felt their independence was maintained.
The provider had structures and policies in place to support workforce wellbeing and enablement.
Policies and procedures underpinned working practices, and this was supported by training, ongoing monitoring / supervisions and discussions during team meetings.
There was strong leadership from the registered manager and the nominated individual. They had extensive knowledge of social care and if necessary, they knew where to access advice.
There was an open culture, and staff and relatives would not hesitate to raise concerns and ask questions. Audits completed had checked all parts of the service and were working well. Actions were taken to rectify any shortfall or negative impact on people.