Background to this inspection
Updated
28 September 2019
The inspection
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
Inspection team
The inspection was conducted by one inspector.
Service and service type
Birchwood Bungalow is a care home which provides accommodation and personal care for up to seven adults with learning disabilities and/or autism. People in care homes receive accommodation and personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was unannounced. It was carried out on 14 August 2019. On 30 August 2019 and 03 September 2019, we received feedback about the service from relatives and social care professionals.
What we did before the inspection
Prior to the inspection we reviewed the Provider Information Record (PIR). The PIR is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We also reviewed the information we held about the service and notifications we had received. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send us by law.
We spoke with one person receiving a service, three relatives and two members of staff. We also spoke with the provider`s operation manager and received feedback from a social care professional involved in people`s care.
We reviewed two people’s care files, two staff files, staff training records and a selection of policies, procedures and records relating to the management of the service.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found.
Updated
28 September 2019
Birchwood Bungalow provides accommodation and personal care for up to seven people with learning disabilities. It does not provide nursing care. The home) accommodates seven people in one adapted building.
The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
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.
The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.
The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.
Only one person living in the home had limited verbal communication skills. The other people who used the service were unable to communicate verbally due to their complex needs. People`s relatives told us, people received care and support from staff in a safe way and caring way.
People`s care plans reflected their needs but also their likes, dislikes and preferences. Positive behaviour support plans were used by staff to promote people`s wellbeing by understanding their behaviours and pre-empt any incidents.
Risk assessments were in place to give staff guidance on how to help people stay safe when out in the community or in the home receiving care and support.
People`s dietary needs were met and if they required support from health care professionals staff involved them. People had planned annual health checks.
Relatives told us they always found staff caring and respectful towards people. They felt confident that if they raised any concerns the management in the home would take those seriously and resolve them.
Staff used a range of communication tools to help people express their views, likes and dislikes. Staff felt supported by the registered manager and the provider`s operations manager. They received training relevant to their roles and regular supervisions.
The provider began work to refresh and improve the environment people lived in. the work was effectively planned, and risk assessed to ensure minimal disruption to people`s normal routines.
A number of methods were used to assess the quality and safety of the service people received and continuous improvements were made in response to the findings.
Rating at last inspection: The last rating for this service was Good (report published in February 2017).
Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Birchwood Bungalow on our website at www.cqc.org.uk
Follow up: We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.