Birches Grove

Updated 2 April 2021

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 the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 24 March 2021 and was announced.

Updated 2 April 2021

About the service:

Birches Grove is a care home which is registered to support up to four adults living with a learning disability. The service was fully occupied at the time of the inspection.

People’s experience of using this service:

People continued to receive safe care and staff knew how to recognise and act upon any concerns of suspected abuse. People’s risks surrounding their well-being or individual conditions, had been assessed and reviewed regularly. Medicines were administered and stored safely, and people received medicines as prescribed. There was a system to record accident and incidents.

There was a sufficient team of regular staff working with people who had training relevant to their roles and were well supported. People were supported to maintain good food intake and meet their healthcare needs. 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.

People said they were ‘like a family’ there. We observed positive, caring interaction which demonstrated staff had a good rapport with people. Staff had a good understanding of people’s communication needs and they respected people's dignity, privacy and independence. People’s confidentiality was respected.

Staff respected people's lifestyle choices and people were involved in decisions about their care and support. People were supported to access activities of their choice, such as art classes or continuing with their employment. People were supported to live independent lives and spend their days as they wished.

The registered manager ensured their quality assurance systems remained effective. There was an open, transparent and positive culture promoted by the team. There was a system to manage complaints and people and staff were involved in running of the service and listened to.

Rating at last inspection:

At the last inspection the service was rated Good (report published 2 December 2016).

Why we inspected:

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up:

We will monitor all intelligence received about the service to inform the assessment of the risk profile of the service and to ensure the next planned inspection is scheduled accordingly.

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