Beech House

Updated 22 February 2018

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This inspection took place on 15 and 16 January 2018 and it was unannounced. The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

We used information the provider sent us in the Provider Information Return. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. Prior to the inspection we looked at the PIR and all the information we had collected about the service. This included previous inspection reports, information received and notifications the registered manager had sent us. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to tell us about by law.

During the inspection we spoke with one person who uses the service. We received feedback from three relatives. We spoke with the registered manager. We observed interactions between people who use the service and staff during our inspection. We also received additional feedback from the staff not present during the inspection. We contacted nine community professionals for feedback. We received feedback from four professionals.

We looked at two people's care plans, monitoring records and medicine sheets, staff training records and the staff supervision log. We looked at records relating to the management of the service including three recruitment records, the compliments/complaints log and accident/incident records. We checked medicines administration, storage and handling. We reviewed a number of other documents relating to the management of the service. For example, the electrical equipment safety check certificates, gas safety certificate, fire risk assessment, fire safety checks, legionella risk assessment and quality assurance records.

Updated 22 February 2018

The inspection took place on 15 and 16 January 2018 and it was unannounced.

Beech House is a care home which is registered to provide care (without nursing) for up to six people with a learning disability. People who use the service have their own bedrooms and use of communal areas that include an enclosed private garden. The people living in the service needed care and support from staff at all times and had a range of care needs.

CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. At the time of our inspection six people were living at the service. The service had a registered manager in place. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are 'registered persons'. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run. The registered manager supported us during the inspection.

At the last inspection the service was rated Good overall. However, the Safe domain was rated Requires Improvement but there were no breaches of the regulations. At this inspection we found improvements had been made in the Safe domain and the service remained Good in all other domains.

Staff understood their responsibilities to raise concerns and report incidents or allegations of abuse. The service assessed personal and environmental risks to the safety of people, staff and visitors and took actions to minimise those risks. Appropriate records were in place and stored correctly.

The provider had employed skilled staff. They were knowledgeable and caring, making sure people received appropriate care and support. People received support that was individualised to their personal preferences and needs. Their needs were monitored and their care plans were reviewed regularly or as changes occurred.

People received care and support that was personalised to meet their individual needs. People were able to continue their usual daily activities and access the local community to enhance social activities. Staff understood the needs of the people and we saw care was provided with kindness and consideration.

The recruitment and selection process helped to ensure people were supported by suitable staff of good character. There were sufficient numbers of staff on each shift. The service ensured there were enough qualified and knowledgeable staff to meet people's needs at all times.

People received their prescribed medicine safely and on time. Storage, handling and records of medicine were accurate. People's rights to confidentiality, dignity and privacy were respected. Staff supported and encouraged people to develop and maintain their independence wherever possible. Relatives were complimentary of the service and the way their family members were supported.

People were given a nutritious and balanced diet and hot and cold drinks and snacks were available between meals. People had their healthcare needs identified and were able to access healthcare professionals such as their GP. The registered manager and staff team knew how to access specialist professional help when needed. People were supported in the least restrictive way possible to have maximum choice and control of their lives. The policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

We observed a calm and relaxed atmosphere during our inspection. People were treated kindly and with respect. Staff were happy in their jobs and there was a good team spirit. The registered manager had quality assurance systems in place to monitor the quality of care being delivered and the running of the service. They promoted positive culture in the service and ensured people were at the centre of staff team’s attention.

Further information is in the detailed findings in the full report.