The Beeches

The Beeches is a care home that provides accommodation and personal care for up to four people with learning disabilities and autism. This report summarises the findings of an inspection conducted on 28 November 2017, which assessed the service against key areas to ensure it was meeting the needs of its residents. The inspection aimed to evaluate the quality of care provided, focusing on safety, effectiveness, compassion, responsiveness, and leadership within the home.

On safety, inspectors found that residents were confident interacting with staff and moving around the home, with relatives also feeling their loved ones were safe. Robust safeguarding procedures were in place and staff were knowledgeable about them, with no safeguarding incidents reported since the last inspection. The home was kept clean, and staff received training in safety areas like infection prevention. Recruitment processes were thorough, minimising risks to residents, and there were sufficient staff to ensure safe care, with good handover procedures in place. Medicines were managed safely and effectively, though a review of three past medication incidents led to enhanced procedures and plans for system improvements.

In terms of how effective the care is, residents continued to receive a service that met their diverse needs, with ongoing assessments ensuring care plans were relevant. Staff were described as well-trained and supported, though there was a noted slippage in the frequency of formal staff supervision which was planned to be addressed. Residents were offered balanced meals and encouraged towards healthy eating, with staff attentive to individual dietary needs. The home's premises were adapted to support residents' needs, with appropriate equipment in place to promote independence and comfort. The service was working in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005, ensuring decisions made on behalf of residents were in their best interests and as least restrictive as possible, with necessary applications for Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards being made.

Regarding how caring the service is, residents' relatives consistently reported that staff were kind and caring, with residents appearing relaxed and happy in their company. Staff demonstrated a good understanding of residents' individual life histories, preferences, and what mattered to them, fostering a person-centred approach. Residents were encouraged to express their views and be involved in decisions about their care, with their privacy and dignity respected. Independence was promoted, and residents were supported in maintaining relationships with family and friends, with visitors always feeling welcome.

In relation to how responsive the service is, each resident had a care plan developed with their involvement and that of their relatives, which clearly outlined how their assessed needs were to be met. These plans took individual preferences into account and were reviewed regularly to ensure they remained current. Staff were aware of how life events could impact residents and worked with professionals to support emotional well-being. Residents were encouraged to participate in a wide range of activities tailored to their interests, with staff actively seeking new experiences for them, even accommodating specific needs like ice-skating with specialised equipment. While end-of-life care was not provided at the time of inspection, assurances were given that the service would adapt to meet this need if required. There had been no formal complaints, though a note was made about a neighbour's comment regarding noise, with a commitment to improve record-keeping for all feedback.

Concerning how well-led the service is, there was stable leadership, with arrangements in place for a smooth management transition as the registered manager was departing. Relatives and staff felt the service was well managed and organised, with staff feeling supported, listened to, and able to influence the service. Effective communication systems were in place, and a positive, enthusiastic culture was evident, with strong teamwork and morale. The provider had systems to monitor service quality, though some procedures, like staff supervisions, had not always been completed within established timescales. The incoming manager had a plan to address these promptly and was keeping up-to-date with legislative changes.