Brierfields is a purpose built care home offering accommodation and support for up to 37 people, all in single rooms. At the time of our visit there were 30 people living at the home.
The inspection was undertaken by one inspector. This summary addresses five key questions: is the service safe; is the service effective; is the service caring; is the service responsive and is the service well led?
This summary is based on a visit to the home where we spoke to the manager and observed staff interactions with people using the service. We looked at records and talked in private with three visiting relatives, three people using the service and four members of staff.
The full report contains the evidence to support this summary.
Is the service safe?
Overall the people we spoke with at the inspection visit were positive about the care provided by the home. Visitors told us they thought their relatives were safe. One said 'I don't think for one minute staff would hurt [my relative]'. Another visitor told us they thought the staff were 'wonderful'. People living at the home also told us they felt safe. Their comments included 'if I saw anything I would put a stop to it' and, when asked if they felt safe, replied, 'absolutely'.
Staff who we spoke with told us they believed people using the service were protected from abuse or exploitation. Comments from staff about the service included 'very safe, without a doubt' and 'we [staff] all care and work together very well'.
There was documentary evidence that staff had received training in the safeguarding of vulnerable adults. This was confirmed by staff who we asked. Staff also told us they understood the need to be vigilant and, to whistle blow if necessary.
We had a quick tour of the building. This included communal areas and a small selection of people's bedrooms. No obvious hazards to people's health and safety were seen. Staff were provided with disposable gloves and aprons to help minimise the risk of cross infection.
People were provided with ample food and drink.
Medication was stored securely and administered by staff who were competent to do so.
Is the service effective?
Each individual's care needs were assessed and reviewed. A care plan was developed on the basis of the assessment. Staff who we asked described good communication within the staff team. One member of staff, when asked what they thought the best thing about the home was, said 'we are a good team, all work well together'.
People's changing care needs were well communicated within the staff team. Staff told us they were updated at the start of each shift and were confident they understood the needs of each person who was using the service. Daily records were made in respect of each person using the service to further assist staff's understanding of the person's circumstances.
People using the service told us they were involved in discussion and decision making about their care. They told us that they felt listened to. Visitors who we spoke with during the visit also told us they felt involved. One visitor told us they were particularly grateful for the support that had been provided which had ensured an effective transition for their relative from hospital.
Is the service caring?
People we spoke with during the inspection visit were complimentary about the approach and attitude of the staff. Comments included 'most are brilliant', 'the girls [staff] are lovely, very helpful', 'very family like', 'it's a comfortable safe place for my Mum to be', 'staff are wonderful' and 'I can sleep at night knowing my mother is being looked after'.
Staff who we asked talked about good teamwork and confidence in their colleagues. When we asked staff what they thought was the best thing about the home, replies included 'a good atmosphere and a good bond with the residents', 'the residents, I love them' and 'a good team, we all work well together'.
Observation of interactions between staff and people using the service indicated a calm and friendly approach.
Is the service responsive?
We did not look specifically at the service's complaints procedure. However, people using the service and visitors who we asked during our visit said they believed they would be listened to if they had a complaint.
People told us that they were involved in decision making about how their care was provided. Staff also told us that people using the service could influence the way their care was provided.
One person told us they had wanted to visit the local shops by themselves. Their first trip was with a member of staff, but following that and an assessment of their risk, there was no restriction on their independent trips out.
One person using the service also told us about an occasion when they had requested something to eat which was not on the menu, but in response to their request had been provided straight away.
Is the service well led?
There were clear lines of accountability between the manager and the care staff, including the seniors. We were told that a representative of the provider regularly visited the home. There were also regular meetings with the managers of the four homes owned and managed by the provider.
Staff who we asked told us that the manager was approachable and supportive. One person said 'Nicole [the manager] is a good leader and approachable'. Another said the manager was 'fair' and staff had 'a clear sense of what Nicole expects'.