Background to this inspection
Updated
30 June 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 inspection took place on 19 April 2017 and was announced. The provider was given 48 hours’ notice to ensure that they would be available to facilitate the inspection. The inspection team comprised of one adult social care inspector for the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
On the morning of 19 April 2017 we went to the head office to look at staff records and other information about the Birtenshaw services. We also went to the Short Break service and spoke with staff and later contacted two relatives for their views and opinions about the service.
Updated
30 June 2017
Birtenshaw Adult Shortbreaks is based in the Astley Bridge area of Bolton. Birtenshaw provides a wide range of services for children and adults with a learning disabilities including Autism Spectrum Conditions, and or/significant physical disabilities, including complex health care needs.
Short Breaks are arranged to support families and to meet the needs of adults aged 18 - 65 years old. The breaks can range from a few hours during the day or evening to overnight, weekend or week long stays. Accommodation is provided within an eight bed short stay centre which has access to the hydrotherapy pool and accessible gym, multi-sensory activities, a sensory suite and a varied activity programme. There is also a small holding for people to be involved in caring for the animals if they wish.
This announced inspection took place on 19 April 2017. This was the first inspection of this service.
The service did not have a registered manager in post. The manager at the home had begun the process to register as the manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
There were sufficient staff on duty to ensure the needs of the people who used the service were supported appropriately.
We saw that the service had a robust recruitment procedure and staff undertook a thorough induction programme before commencing work. Training was on-going and included refresher courses for essential training and any specialist training required.
Staff were aware of the local safeguarding policy and procedures and knew how to recognise, record and report any concerns.
Health and safety measures were in place and up to date. Systems were in place in relation to storage and administration of medicines.
Each person had their own bedroom. There was access to suitably equipped bathrooms and communal areas. The premises were clean, tidy and well maintained.
The service was working within the legal requirements of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).
People’s privacy and dignity was respected and we saw that the staff interacted well with the person they were supporting.
Care plans were person-centred and included information about people’s likes and dislikes, interests, family backgrounds and personalities.
There was a wide range of activities on offer for people who used the service to participate in.
Systems were in place for dealing with complaints and concerns.
A number of quality audits and checks were carried out by the service.