Beech Haven is a service run by Morley Care Services Limited. The service provides care and accommodation for up to two people who may need assistance with personal care and may have care needs associated with living with learning disabilities. On the day of our inspection the service did not have any vacancies and the service does not provide nursing care.

The home was previously inspected in November 2015. It was overall rated as good.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the 'all reports' link for ‘Beech Haven ’ on our website at ‘www.cqc.org.uk’.

The service had a registered manager in post. 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 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run. The registered manager of the service had been in post since initial registration with CQC in 2013.

Staff were trained in safeguarding people and knew about signs of abuse and the actions to take if they suspected it. People received information and training from the provider to keep themselves safe. People's risks were assessed and they were supported to take positive risks. Staff providing support were safe and suitable as a result of the provider's recruitment processes and safe staffing levels were maintained. Staff administered people's medicines safely and in line with the prescriber's instructions. People were protected due to the infection prevention measures in place.

The service was effective. Staff received regular supervision and the training needed to meet people's needs. Arrangements were made for people to see their GP and other healthcare professionals when required. People's healthcare needs were met and staff worked with health and social care professionals to access relevant services. The service was compliant with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).

People were supported by kind and caring staff. We observed that staff had developed positive and caring relationships with people. People were treated with dignity and respect and were encouraged to maintain their independence and make choices. Throughout the day we observed staff supporting people in a kind and respectful manner, offering reassurance to people where required. Information was provided in ways that was easy for people to understand. People were supported to maintain relationships with family and friends. People were supported to eat and drink enough.

The provider was outstanding in its responsiveness to people's choices and wishes. People received a high level of person centred support. The provider supported people to engage in the activities that were important to them. People were encouraged and supported to work, socialise, share intimate relationships and participate in hobbies and interests. Care records identified people's needs, aspirations and achievements.

The service was well-led. There were systems in place to regularly assess the quality of the service and that people were kept safe. People were able to share their views at regular resident meetings. Relatives and healthcare professionals were positive about the care provided and had been given opportunities to give feedback and make suggestions to improve the experience for people who used the service.

We inspected Beech Haven on 24 November 2015. The inspection was announced. Beech Haven was last inspected in June 2014, no concerns were identified at that inspection.

Beech Haven provides accommodation and support for up to two people with learning disabilities and autistic spectrum disorders. On the day of the inspection two people were receiving care services from the provider. The home had a registered 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 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

During our inspection we spoke with two people who used the service. We also spoke with a member of care staff, the registered manager and professionals outside the service.

During our visit to the service we looked at the care records for two people and looked at records that related to how the service was managed.

People who used this service were safe. The care staff knew how to identify if a person may be at risk of harm and the action to take if they had concerns about a person’s safety.

The care staff knew the people they were supporting and the choices they had made about their care and their lives. People who used the service, and those who were important to them, were included in planning and agreeing to the care provided.

The decisions people made were respected. People were supported to maintain their independence and control over their lives. People received care from a team of staff who they knew and who knew them. The registered manager had procedures for informing people which staff would be carrying duties. This meant people knew who they would see each day. People were treated with kindness and respect. People we spoke with told us, “I like living here a lot.”

The registered manager used safe recruitment systems to ensure that new staff were only employed if they were suitable to work in people’s homes. The staff employed by the service were aware of their responsibility to protect people from harm or abuse. They told us they would be confident reporting any concerns to a senior person in the service or to the local authority or CQC.

There were sufficient staff, with appropriate experience, training and skills to meet people’s needs. The service was well managed and took appropriate action if expected standards were not met. This ensured people received a safe service that promoted their rights and independence.

Staff were well supported through a system of induction, training, supervision, appraisal and professional development. There was a positive culture within the service which was demonstrated by the attitudes of staff when we spoke with them and their approach to supporting people to maintain their independence.

The service was well-led. There was a comprehensive, formal quality assurance process in place. This meant that all aspects of the service were formally monitored to ensure good care was provided and planned improvements and changes could be implemented in a timely manner.

There were good systems in place for care staff or others to raise any concerns with the registered manager.

Our inspection looked at our five questions; is the service caring? Is the service responsive? Is the service safe? Is the service effective? Is the service well led?

Below is a summary of what we found. The summary is based on our observations during the inspection, speaking with people using the service, speaking with the staff supporting them and looking at records.

If you want to see the evidence supporting our summary please read the full report.

Is the service safe?

We saw that systems were in place for monitoring the safe operation of the service. The manager provided evidence of audits carried out including checks of care plan documents, finance, daily tasks, fire safety and cleaning and infection control.

Appropriate arrangements were in place for recording medicine administration.

Is the service effective?

The provider had effective systems in place that assessed and monitored the quality of care and support provided. There were policies and procedures in place which supported care delivery and gave direction to staff.

Is the service caring?

People we spoke with told us that they felt that they were well looked after at Beech Haven. One person told us: “The staff look after me very well. I like it here a lot, it’s all about me.”

Is the service responsive?

We saw evidence the provider worked with other services, individuals, teams or agencies for period reviews or to respond to emergency situations. For example day centres, social workers and occupational therapists.

Is the service well-led?

All of the people spoken with said that they had no worries or concerns, but that they could talk to staff if they had any. Everyone spoken with said that staff would listen to them. There were no outstanding complaints about the service.