The Birches

On this page

• Overview
• Learning culture
• Safe systems, pathways and transitions
• Safeguarding
• Involving people to manage risks
• Safe environments
• Safe and effective staffing
• Infection prevention and control
• Medicines optimisation

Safe – this means we looked for evidence that people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. At our last assessment we rated this key question good. At this assessment the rating has remained good. This meant people were safe and protected from avoidable harm.

This service scored 75 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

We did not look at Learning culture during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

We did not look at Safe systems, pathways and transitions during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

The provider worked with people and healthcare partners to understand what being safe meant to them and the best way to achieve that. Staff concentrated on improving people’s lives whilst protecting their right to live in safety, free from bullying, harassment, abuse, discrimination, avoidable harm and neglect. The provider shared concerns quickly and appropriately. People were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. Staff demonstrated a good knowledge of how to recognise signs of abuse and how to safeguard people if they had any concerns. One staff member told us, “We do regular safeguarding training, I have no concerns at the moment, if I did, I would know what to do,”When safeguarding incidents had occurred, the manager had thoroughly investigated these incidents and had promptly taken action to reduce the risk of reoccurrence. The provider also analysed this information to ensure their policies and procedures were followed.

The provider worked with people to understand and manage risks by thinking holistically. Staff provided care to meet people’s needs that was safe, supportive and enabled people to do the things that mattered to them. We found people were safely supported to live their day to day lives in line with their choices and preferences. People’s care plans detailed their needs and aspirations; these were regularly reviewed. People told us how staff supported them to pursue their interests. We saw evidence of staff supporting people to understand their health conditions and reduce any associated risks. For example, a person was supported to attend exercise classes and wellness activities. People were also supported by staff to take part in group and individual activities, we saw evidence that people had been regularly supported to get out and about to places of interest.

We did not look at Safe environments during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

We did not look at Safe and effective staffing during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

We did not look at Infection prevention and control during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

The provider made sure that medicines and treatments were safe and met people’s needs, capacities and preferences. Staff involved people in planning, including when changes happened. Stock levels corresponded with the records in place and audits of medicine administration records were conducted regularly by the management team and provider. Staff ensured people's feelings were not controlled by excessive and inappropriate use of medicines. There was clear guidance for staff for safe administration of 'when required medicines' (PRN). This meant people received these medicines when they needed them.