Background to this inspection
Updated
12 March 2020
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 undertaken by one inspector. On the first day of the inspection we visited Beechcroft House, on the second day we met the management team at their head office in Scunthorpe to conclude the inspection.
Service and service type
Beechcroft House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or 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. Beechcroft House no longer provides care and support to people living in 'supported living' settings.
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. There was an acting manager who was going to make an application to become the registered manager of this service.
Notice of inspection
We gave a short period of notice of the inspection. This was because the service is small, and people are often out, and we wanted to be sure there would be people at home to speak with us.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. This included notifications, which is information about important events which the service is required to send us by law. We also contacted the local authority to gain their views about the service.
The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. 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. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with two people who used the service about their experience of the care provided and with two relatives. We spoke with the acting manager, deputy manager, care-coordinator and with two care staff.
We reviewed a range of records which included three people’s care records and medicine administration charts. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and supervision. We inspected a variety of records relating to the management of the service including policies and procedures, training records and audits.
Updated
12 March 2020
About the service
Beechcroft House is a residential care home providing personal care. It provides accommodation for three people with learning disabilities or autism.
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
Safeguarding policies and procedures were in place to help protect people from harm and abuse. Staff understood how to raise safeguarding issues. People told us they felt safe living at the service. There were enough staff provided to meet people’s needs. Risks to people’s health and wellbeing were recorded and staff were aware of this information. People were protected by robust medicine management and infection control procedures.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
People’s needs were met by staff who undertook induction and training to develop and maintain their skills. People’s dietary needs were assessed and monitored. Dietary concerns were reported to relevant health care professionals. People were supported to socialise, maintain family contact, undertake hobbies and go on holiday.
People’s needs were assessed, and person-centred care records were created for staff to follow. Care records detailed tasks people could undertake themselves to maintain their independence and goals people wished to achieve. Care reviews were held with people to check on progress. Staff contacted health care professionals for advice and support to maintain people’s wellbeing. People’s end of life wishes was recorded. End of life care could be provided at the service with support from relevant health care professionals.
The complaints policy was provided to people in a format that met their needs. No complaints had been received since the last inspection. People told us they were happy and had no complaints to raise.
We found an open and transparent culture at the service. People were asked for their views along with their relatives and staff. Feedback received was acted upon. The provider continued to look at how the service could be improved for people. Data was stored securely to maintain people’s confidentiality.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the Care Quality Commission website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 18 February 2019).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
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.