Silver Birch Care Home

Updated 28 January 2025

We carried out this assessment between 3 March to 20 March 2025.

Silver Birch is a residential care home providing personal care to up to 23 people aged 65 and over. At the time of our inspection there were 21 people using the service, many of whom were living with dementia.

The assessment was unannounced and carried due to its aged rating. The provider was in breach of 2 legal regulations relating to safe care and treatment and governance. We found no evidence people had been harmed however, systems were either not in place or robust enough to demonstrate governance was effectively managed.

The provider failed to identify environmental risks such as unrestricted windows throughout the premises. Doors which should be locked were open, providing access to restricted areas. The service lacked effective systems and processes for managerial oversight of these risks, and audits did not identify or action the issues we found. This meant the concerns we identified had not been assessed or mitigated.

We shared all of these concerns with the management team who took immediate action to address these risks.

People’s care plans and risk assessments had been fully completed, and appropriate referrals were made to support people with any changes in their needs. Staff were recruited safely and had received training appropriate for their roles. People, relatives and staff had opportunity to feedback on their experience of the service and the provider worked with people and staff to provide an inclusive and fair culture.

Updated 28 January 2025

Almost everyone we spoke with was very positive about the quality of the care they received at Silver Birch.

They felt safe and understood their rights. Where people lacked capacity to make some choices staff continued to offer and seek consent. People said they received good quality care from staff who treated them as individuals. Several people described how staff treated them kindly and made sure personal care was provided sensitively, preserving their privacy and dignity.

People also said they were supported to attend appointments and activities outside of the home which they enjoyed.

Several people told us the meals were wonderful and if there was something they wanted the provider would get it for them.

Some people could not directly tell us about their experience. We used a structured observation tool to assess whether they received good care. This showed people were included and listened to and staff consistently interacted positively with them.

People felt able to complain, and where confident action would be taken, and improvements would be made. People knew staff, the manager and the owner well.

Visitors were welcomed to support people to maintain close relationships with their loved ones. The home had a mobile phone which friends and family could call and speak with their loved ones. Comments included, “Staff are kind, caring, polite and respectful.”

During our visit we saw people supported by staff who knew them well and treated them with respect; staff were attentive to people’s needs.