Beech Tree House

The service is a purpose-built home with a range of specifically designed facilities to support people to live as well as they can. There are four floors with specialist equipment and facilities pertinent to the dedicated support required by each individual. There are a range of community facilities and individual rooms have ensuite facilities. At the time of the inspection, due to the small cohort of people living at the home only one floor of the service was being utilised.

People told us they felt safe living at the home. Risks, both in relation to care and the environment were monitored. Staff recruitment was undertaken appropriately, and people felt there were enough staff to support the current numbers living at the home. The home was exceptionally clean, and staff followed current guidance in relation to keeping people safe from COVID-19. There were some minor issues with medicines, and we noted some records were not always as detailed as they could be. We have made a recommendation about this.

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. Records did not always evidence how staff followed the principles of the Mental capacity Act. We have made a recommendation about this. People's needs had been assessed prior to them coming to live at the home. Staff had received a range of training. Where necessary, competency checks around medicines had been undertaken. People were supported to access appropriate food and fluids and meals were described as being very good. The premises had been purpose built and were designed to fully support the needs of people living at the home.

Care plans were in place, but the quality of the information varied, with some not always being detailed in a person centred way. It was not always clearly demonstrated people had been involved in review processes. People felt as the home became busier staff did not always have the time to undertake activities with them.

A new activities co-ordinator was about to take up post. People's preferences and choices were always considered. The home had a range of processes to support people communicating and understanding. Relatives told us end of life care had been exceptionally good and empathetic.

There were a range of audits and checks in place, although not all the issues identified at the inspection had been picked up by these processes. The registered manager had a clear vision for how they wanted the service to run and for person centred care to be delivered. Staff echoed this philosophy. People and staff were involved in decisions about the running of the home, as far as possible. Professionals told us the home worked in a highly co-operative way and made timely and appropriate clinical referrals to other services.