Fir Trees House

Fir Trees House is a residential care home that provides personal care to individuals with mental health needs and learning disabilities. This inspection report assesses how the service supports people, focusing on key areas of care provision. The overall summary highlights that while some aspects of care are positive, there are areas requiring improvement to ensure people consistently receive the best possible outcomes and lead fulfilling lives.

Regarding the safety of the service, inspectors found that people were well protected from harm. Staff demonstrated a good understanding of how to safeguard residents and respond to concerns. Safety systems were in place, and residents reported feeling safe. While there was a past safeguarding concern that has led to improvements in assessment processes, current safety measures were robust.

In terms of how effective the care is, the service was found to be not always consistent in achieving good outcomes. A significant area for improvement involved restrictions on kitchen access, which were not always assessed in line with legal requirements for capacity and best interests. Support plans also did not always fully promote independence and skills development, and some language used in records was not person-centred.

When it comes to caring for people, staff consistently provided kind and compassionate support, respecting individuals' privacy and dignity. Residents and their relatives spoke highly of the staff's attentiveness and understanding of cultural needs. The service maintained appropriate staffing levels, ensuring residents received the care they needed.

The responsiveness of the service needs further development to ensure people lead more inclusive and empowered lives. While staff supported residents during times of distress, there is a need to enhance opportunities for residents to engage more fully in their daily lives and community. The registered manager is actively working with residents and staff to foster a more person-centred ethos.

Concerning how well-led the service is, improvements are needed to ensure the management and staff consistently focus on residents' needs and aspirations. While the new registered manager has identified areas for development, including improving the overall culture and staff focus, the service needs to fully embed these changes. Ongoing work is underway to enhance support planning and promote independence.