Beech House – Binfield is a care home without nursing that provides a service to up to 31 older people, some of whom may be living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 25 people living at the service.

At the last inspection, the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good and had continued to meet all the fundamental standards of quality and safety.

Why the service remained Good:

Staff had a good understanding of how to keep people safe and protect them from abuse. Personal and environmental risks to the safety of people, staff and visitors had been assessed and actions had been taken to minimise those risks. Recruitment processes were in place to make sure, as far as possible, that people were protected from staff being employed who were not suitable. There were sufficient numbers of staff and medicines were stored and handled correctly.

People benefitted from a staff team that was well trained and supervised. We have made a recommendation that future ongoing staff training be updated in line with the latest best practice guidelines for social care staff.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible, the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. People were supported to eat and drink enough and their health and social care needs were met.

The staff team were caring and respectful and provided support in the way people preferred. Their right to confidentiality was protected and their dignity and privacy were respected. People were enabled and encouraged to maintain their independence for as long as possible.

People received care and support that was personalised to meet their individual needs. People were supported to maintain relationships with those important to them. The service provided access to local events to enhance social activities. This meant people had access to activities that took into account their individual interests and links with different communities.

People were relaxed and there was an open and inclusive atmosphere at the service. Staff were happy in their jobs and there was a good team spirit. They felt supported by the management and said the training they received enabled them to meet people's needs choices and preferences. Quality assurance systems were in place to monitor the quality of service being delivered and the running of the service.

Further information is in the detailed findings in the full report.

Before people received any care they were asked for their consent and the staff acted in accordance with their wishes. People were protected from the risks of inadequate nutrition and dehydration. One person told us "we have very nice meals here" and another commented "if someone does not like the food when it arrives, they get offered something else"

The provider had taken steps to provide care in an environment that was suitably designed and adequately maintained. Personal bedrooms were all arranged to suit people's preferences. One person told us "I have a lovely room, if I say 'would you clean my room' they do it right away".

There were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff to meet people’s needs. People told us staff were available when they needed them and didn't rush them when providing their care. One person commented "they come straight away when I call them. The staff are very good."

There was an effective complaints system available. People living at the home knew who to speak to if they had any concerns. One person commented "I can’t complain about anything I feel safe and happy here." Another said "I have never complained, there is no trouble at all here, they look after us well."

People living in the home were positive about the support they received and evidence suggested that they were consulted and involved in how they wished to live their lives.

We found that peoples health and welfare needs were being met and that support given was individualised and person centred.

Evidence informed us that systems were in place to protect people from possible abuse and that staff had an awareness of safeguarding issues.

We found that staff received appropriate training and support to be able to meet the needs of people living in the home.

We found the quality of the service was being monitored and evidence indicated that concerns were promptly acted upon. Systems were in place to meet peoples health, welfare and safety needs.

The people who use this service preferred to be referred to as residents. This preference is respected within this report.

On the day of our visit, there were 26 residents living at the home. Since our last visit the home had been totally refurbished. The kitchen had been replaced; three additional bedrooms had been built; an additional dining room had been added, making space for an additional lounge area; plus the external grounds had been landscaped with raised decking areas and other seating areas provided for residents and their visitors to enjoy in the warmer weather. Residents and visitors we spoke with all commented on how nice they felt the home looked and what an improvement they felt the changes had made.

Residents we spoke with told us they were involved in making decisions about their care. They felt the staff respected their privacy and dignity and that they were supported to remain as independent as possible.

Residents we spoke with told us they had enjoyed the pantomime the day before our visit and that there were more activities available at the home recently. Residents also told us they would like to go out more with one resident commenting that they would love to go to the local shops just to look round.

Residents told us that they felt their needs were being met and that their care was delivered in the way they preferred. They felt safe living at the home, felt the staff were available when they needed them and that staff had the skills they needed when providing their care and treatment.

Residents told us they felt their opinions were listened to and taken into account by the management and staff.

One visitor told us they were very happy with the care their relative received at the home and one resident commented: "The staff look after us very well." Another resident told us that the manager: "is always available and always takes time to chat and ask how I am."

This inspection took place on 14 and 15 October 2015 and was unannounced.

We last inspected the service on 25 November 2013. At that inspection we found the service was compliant with all essential standards we inspected.

Beech House - Binfield is a care home without nursing that provides a service to up to 31 older people, some of whom may be living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 28 people living at the service.

The service had a registered manager as required. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the CQC 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 was present and assisted us during this inspection.

People felt safe living at the service and were protected from abuse and risks relating to their care and welfare. They were protected against environmental risks to their safety and furniture and fixtures were of good quality and well maintained.

People received effective care and support from staff who knew them well and were well supervised. Staff training was not all up to date but plans were put in place to address this issue before the end of the year. People received support that was individualised to their personal preferences and needs. Their needs were monitored and care plans reviewed monthly or as changes occurred.

People received effective health care and support. People saw their GP and other health professionals such as occupational therapists and chiropodists when needed. Health professionals thought the service supported people to maintain good health, have access to healthcare services and receive on-going healthcare support. Medicines were stored and handled correctly and safely. Meals were nutritious and varied and people told us the food at the service was good.

People's rights to make their own decisions, where possible, were protected and staff were aware of their responsibilities to ensure people's rights to make their own decisions were promoted.

People were treated with care and kindness. During our inspection the atmosphere at the home was calm and happy and the care staff were chatting and laughing with people. People's wellbeing was protected and all interactions observed between staff and people living at the service were respectful and friendly. People confirmed staff respected their privacy and dignity.

People benefitted from living at a service that had an open and friendly culture. People felt staff were happy working at the service and had a good relationship with each other and the management. Staff told us the management was open with them and communicated what was happening at the service and with the people living there. Health professionals thought the service demonstrated good management and leadership and people and their relatives told us they felt the home was managed well.