Birmingham Rathbone

Updated 10 October 2017

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This comprehensive inspection took place on 7 September 2017 and was announced. The registered provider was given 48 hours’ notice because the location provides personal care to people in their own homes and we needed to ensure there were care records available for review had we required them. The inspection team consisted of one inspector and an expert by experience who spoke with people on the telephone. An expert by experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of service.

As part of planning the inspection we reviewed any information we held about the service. We also checked if the provider had sent us any notifications. These contain details of events and incidents the provider is required to notify us about by law, including unexpected deaths and injuries occurring to people receiving care. We used this information to plan what areas we were going to focus on during our inspection visit.

During our inspection visit we met with one person who used the service at the provider’s offices, we also spoke with five people on the telephone. We spoke with the registered manager and five support workers. We sampled the records including four people’s care plans, staffing records, complaints, medication and quality monitoring. We reviewed information the provider sent us after our visit.

Updated 10 October 2017

Birmingham Rathbone provides personal care for adults with learning disabilities, autistic spectrum disorder or mental health needs. People receive support in their own homes or in two supported living services operated by the provider. At the time of our inspection the service was supporting 21 people. At the last inspection, the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

People who used the service were safe. Staff demonstrated that they were aware of the action to take should they suspect that someone was being abused and the risks associated with people’s specific conditions. There were enough staff to meet people’s care and support needs promptly. People received their medicines when they needed them.

People were supported by staff who had the skills and knowledge to meet their needs. People were supported to have the maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in line with their wishes.

People were supported to eat meals they enjoyed. Staff provided advice and guidance to help people choose healthy meal options. People were supported to make use of the services of a variety of mental and physical health professionals.

People told us that staff were caring. Staff spoke fondly about the people they supported. People were supported by regular staff who understood their preferred communication styles and assisted them when necessary to express their views. Staff promoted people’s independence and respected their privacy.

Staff supported people to engage in activities they enjoyed. People’s care and support was planned in partnership with them so their care plans reflected their views and wishes. People were supported to set and achieve goals which enhanced their wellbeing. People told us that staff were approachable and would take action if they were not happy or had a complaint.

People told us that the service was well run. The registered manager was aware of their responsibilities to the commission. Staff enjoyed working at the service and felt valued. People had the opportunity to influence and develop the service they received. The provider and registered manager made checks to help ensure that the standard of care was maintained and improved upon where possible.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.