We carried out a review of the data available to us about Birtenshaw Supported Living on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Birtenshaw Supported Living, you can give feedback on this service.
Birtenshaw Domiciliary Care Service (Birtenshaw) is a service which provides personal care and support for adults with a learning disability including Autism Spectrum Disorder and or physical disabilities. At the time of our inspection there were ten people who used the service within four supported living tenancies, which were staffed by care workers at all times.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
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.
The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.
The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.
The opportunities made available to those who used the service clearly had a positive and encouraging impact on their physical, social and emotional well-being. This was confirmed by everyone we spoke with and was evidenced through our observations and reviewing of records. People were supported by a committed staff team to achieve their goals and to meet their aspirations.
People were safe using the services of Birtenshaw. The practices adopted by the service protected people from harm. The staff team was consistent and the support provided to people promoted continuity of care. Robust recruitment practices were in place. Potential risks were handled well and medicines were managed safely. Relatives confirmed they felt people were safe whilst using the service.
An wide range of training had been provided for the staff team, which helped to ensure people received the care and support they needed. Community health and social care professionals had been involved in the care and support of those who used the service and people's dietary needs were fully met.
People received good care and support. Their preferences and wishes were respected by the staff team. People were treated with dignity and respect and were involved in the decision-making process. Care files were very well written and provided staff with clear guidance about people’s needs. Detailed information was also available about how to communicate with people effectively and independence was consistently promoted.
The management and staff team were open and transparent during the inspection process. There was plenty evidence of community engagement taking place. A wide range of regular audits and monitoring was evident. We received very positive feedback about the manager and the staff team.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was Good (published 27 June 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up: The service will be re-inspected as per our inspection programme. We will continue to monitor any information we receive about the service. The inspection may be brought forward if any risks are identified.
Part of the service provided care and support for adults in supported living tenancies. 123 Darwen Road is an adapted property where there were four male service users who are tenants sharing the house.
This announced inspection took place on 13 & 19 April 2017. We last inspected this service on 25 July 2015. At that inspection we found the services to be meeting the requirements in the areas inspected.
At the inspection on 13 April 2017 the service did not have a registered manager in post. The manager at the service had started the process in applying 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.
Staffing provision was satisfactory to ensure the needs of the service users were met. Staffing numbers were looked at on a daily basis to ensure that appointments and trips and planned activities were covered.
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 ordering, storage, administration and disposal of medicines.
Care plans included a range of health and personal information to ensure that the needs of the service users were supported.
With the help of staff, the young men helped plan and prepare a wide variety of healthy meals and snacks.
Each service user had their own bedroom and communal bathrooms were on both floors..
The service was working within the legal requirements of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) (MCA).
We observed staff interacting in a kind and friendly manner throughout the day, there was a good relationship observed between staff the service users..
People’s privacy and dignity was respected and we saw that the staff promoted independence as much as possible.
Care plans were person-centred and included information about people’s likes and dislikes, interests, family backgrounds and personalities.
There were a wide range of activities on offer for the young men to participate in. Some had their own mobility cars.
Systems were in place for dealing with complaints and concerns.
The service had good links with the local community, which helped people who used the service to mix and integrate with the community.
A number of quality audits and checks were carried out by the service.