Beech Spinney

Updated 23 January 2021

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of CQC’s response to care homes with outbreaks of coronavirus, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control practice was safe and the service was compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 17 December 2020 and was announced.

Updated 23 January 2021

About the service:

Beech Spinney is a residential care home that is registered for up to seven people. It was providing personal care to seven people who have a learning disability and/or autism at the time of the inspection.

This care service supported people in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidelines. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

People’s experience of using this service:

Staff understood their responsibilities to protect people from abuse and discrimination. They knew to report any concerns and ensure action was taken. The registered manager worked with the local authority safeguarding adults team to protect people.

Staff were supported in their roles and received an effective level of training. We observed them supporting people in a competent manner.

People continued to be supported by an established team of staff who provided kind and personalised care to people living in the home. Safe recruitment of staff ensured people were supported by staff of good character.

People were protected from harm by the provider having effective systems in place to monitor medicine management, staffing, infection control and upkeep of the premises.

Staff promoted people's dignity and privacy. Staff provided person-centred support by listening to people and engaging them at every opportunity. Staff were caring and understanding towards people. People using the service appeared comfortable in the presence of staff

The premises provided suitable accommodation for people with communal areas and bedrooms which were personalised to people’s individual interests.

Support plans were detailed and reviewed with the person and their relatives when possible. Staff worked with and took advice from health care professionals. People's health care needs were met.

People had a variety of activities which they enjoyed on a regular basis. People and relatives' views were sought, and opportunities taken to improve the service. Formal supervision meetings were carried out with staff. They told us they were supported and clear about what was expected of them.

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.

Audits and checks were carried out, and any issues identified and rectified.

The home continued to meet the characteristics of a rating of good in all areas. More information about the inspection is in the full report.

Rating at last inspection:

The home was rated Good at the last inspection (report published in May 2016).

Why we inspected:

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up:

We will continue to monitor the service through the information we receive.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk