We carried out a review of the data available to us about Copperbeech 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 Copperbeech, you can give feedback on this service.
We found the following examples of good practice.
People living in the home underwent regular COVID-19 testing in line with government guidance and had their temperature, blood pressure and oxygen levels monitored twice daily. Most staff completed testing as per guidance. The manager told us procedures would be developed to manage any instances when the guidance was not adhered to. Staff and people in the home were also encouraged to have the COVID-19 vaccine.
Staff had received IPC training, including Coronavirus awareness and had regular hand hygiene assessments. We observed staff using personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriately during the inspection and PPE stations and hand gel were available around the home.
Risks to people had been assessed and appropriate measures taken to reduce risks relating to COVID-19. Social distancing was encouraged and dining areas had been adapted to enable social distancing and staggered meal times. Signage was also used around the home to remind people of effective handwashing procedures. Cleaning schedules were in place and these had been increased to include more regular cleaning of frequently touched areas.
Visitors were welcomed into the home following current guidance and systems had been set up to facilitate this safely. Most visitors chose to continue to visit in the garden, but those that did enter the home had a lateral flow test and PPE provided.
We were assured this service was following safe infection prevention and control measures to keep people safe.
Copperbeech is a residential care home providing personal care to 20 people at the time of the inspection. The home is registered for up to 20 people with a mental health diagnosis. Accommodation is provided in single bedrooms.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Everyone we spoke with said they felt safe and enjoyed life in the home. People told us that they had been more settled since moving to the home.
People felt they had a sense of purpose and led active lives in accordance with their wishes due to their home environment, their contact with the community and the support and approach of staff members. People told us they felt in complete control of their care and able to contribute, voice their opinions and have their wishes met.
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.
Care and support were delivered on an individual basis and the occupants of the home decided their own daily routines. Care, support and activities were planned around individual likes and dislikes. People were encouraged to participate in activities which were meaningful to them for example, shopping and social activities, sport on T.V. and attendance at football matches. On the whole people were independent and came and went from the home as they wished.
There was a formal complaints procedure available to people living in the home. We have recommended that informal and general "moans" also be recorded, with the actions taken and outcomes.
Professionals also spoke extremely highly of the home and how the home was able to support people to have good outcomes, helping to maintain good mental and physical health. They commented on the relaxed atmosphere in the home, with people laughing and relaxed in the company of staff. When possible given the restrictions of the building people would be supported until the end of their life by people who knew them.
Healthcare records were kept to high standards and staff knowledge of individuals was extremely good. This enabled staff to recognise early changes in people and early access to primary healthcare services this ensured excellent continuity of care.
Thorough recruitment, staff induction and ongoing training were in place to ensure that staff were suitable to work and provide support within the home.
We received mixed comments about the food even though we saw that those living in the home had input in developing the menus. People had access to food, snacks and drinks throughout the day, food was freshly prepared.
Any minor issues within the home were dealt with prior to becoming complaints, however everyone felt that their views were respected, and they could offer feedback about their care and the environment which would be respected and acted upon.
People were encouraged to continue their involvement with their chosen religion after moving to the home.
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 March 2017). We have used the previous rating to inform our planning and decisions about the rating at this inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.
The home is registered to accommodate up to 25 people, however the manager confirmed that this number included a number of shared bedrooms. She told us that all bedrooms were now single occupancy and the maximum number of people accommodated was 20. At the time of the inspection, 19 people lived at Copperbeech and another person was having a short stay there.
The home had a registered manager who had been in post for a number of years. 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 last inspection of Copperbeech we found that improvement was needed to the storage
and documentation of medication. Since that inspection, a new medication room had been constructed.
There was an adequate number of staff employed at the home and no agency staff were used. New staff were recruited safely.
The premises were generally maintained in a safe condition, however we found some areas where improvement was needed. Incidents and accidents were recorded and learned from.
There were no restrictions on people’s movements and nobody living at the home had a Deprivation of Liberty Safeguard.
Staff received regular training and supervision. All of the support staff had a national vocational qualification (NVQ).
People told us they enjoyed their meals. There were always alternatives available and people’s preferences were taken into account.
Some people had lived at Copperbeech for many years and it was in all respects their home. We observed a happy and inclusive atmosphere at the home and people were supported in a non-judgemental manner. People’s bedrooms were decorated and furnished to suit their tastes and preferences. The manager knew people well and people were comfortable speaking with her. People were encouraged to be active and to participate in community activities.
Each person had a care file that detailed their individual support needs and provided information about the person. The care files we looked at showed that support was provided in a way that met people’s needs but also respected their independence and choices.
A programme of quality audits was completed and people were invited to express their views through meetings and satisfaction questionnaires. These were all used to show the provider and the manager where improvements were needed.
This inspection took place on 17 December 2015 and was unannounced.
Copperbeech is two large three storey Victorian buildings converted into one home on the corner of a residential street in Wallasey. There is a car park to the front and gardens to the rear.
The home has 17 bedrooms over three floors. Each of the bedrooms has an en-suite toilet and wash basin. The home also has three self-contained bedsit style flats in the basement, each with a large bedroom, kitchen and bathroom. The home has three bathrooms and one accessible wet-room, two lounges, a dining area within a conservatory, a kitchen and a laundry.
At the time of our inspection 20 people were living in the home. The home specialises in providing residential care for people with mental health support needs.
There was a registered manager in place at the time of our inspection. 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.
We found Copperbeech to be homely with a relaxed atmosphere. Some areas of the building were in need of updating. The manager showed us some recent work that had been done to renovate the rear of the building. There was still some building rubble in the garden, other than this the gardens were well kept with a gardener visiting every two weeks.
People told us they felt safe living at Copperbeech.
We found areas of improvement needed in the storage and documenting of medication, this was a breach of Regulation 12 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008. You can see what action we told the provider to take at the back of the full version of the report.
Window restrictors were not fitted to some of the upstairs windows.
There were adequate numbers of staff at the home. Staff had a good knowledge of safeguarding, knew what to do to keep people safe from abuse and could demonstrate the actions they would take if they suspected any abuse was happening.
Staff were recruited safely, with DBS checks in place and annual self-disclosure checks made with the manager.
Staff knew what to do if any difficulties arose whilst supporting somebody, or if an accident happened. Incidents and accidents were recorded and learnt from.
Restrictive practices were in place in people’s lives without the staff assessing the capacity of the person to consent to such restrictions. Some people didn’t have a capacity assessment even though there were indications it may be appropriate. The principles of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA 2005) were not embedded in the support provided.
Staff received training and were supported to develop in their work. They received regular supervision and told us they felt well supported.
People at the home told us they were happy with the food provided. There were always alternatives available and preferences were taken into account.
The staff and manager were caring and we observed a happy environment at the home. One staff member told us, “We all work great together, it’s better for the residents. It’s a lovely happy environment”. The manager told us they take a, “Family approach”. The manager knew people well and we noticed that people were comfortable around her.
We observed that people were encouraged to be active and to participate in their community. People were coming and going throughout the day we visited.
People had individualised and person centred care files. Many of the plans were aimed at maintaining and developing people’s skills. There had recently been a residents meeting seeking the feedback of the people living at Copperbeech. There was evidence this has happened for years and was an embedded part of the culture.
The service was well led. People and staff found the manager approachable, she set a homely and relaxed culture and encouraged people to sit and chat with her. However the manager had not always informed the CQC of notifiable incidents which were a legal requirement.
All services users said they were supported to make choices. We saw they had access to tea and coffee making facilities and were told staff were obliging if they wanted something to eat, all hours of the day. All service users' that we spoke to said the food was 'excellent'.
All medication sheets were clear and consistent, evidencing good record keeping and safe administration.
We looked at comments from questionnaires the home had received from visiting professionals over the past three months, from social workers, psychiatric and district nurses. Some of the comments were: - 'staff always communicate well', two comments of a 'friendly atmosphere' and that 'service users seem very happy'.
We found people were supported in promoting their independence and community involvement. People who used the service told us they felt well cared for and supported to be involved in community activities which they enjoyed.
We looked at four care records, all had assessments of their health and social needs completed. There were individual support plans and risk assessments in place. This meant the service could demonstrate they could meet people's needs and maintain their health and wellbeing.
Our observations showed that the people who used the service were happy and relaxed when they were being supported by staff. People who used the service told us they felt safe living at Copperbeech and were confident if they had any concerns the manager or directors of the company would address them.
The provider took account of complaints and comments to improve the service. People who used the service told us they were happy with the service they received and felt confident any concerns they raised would be dealt with.
We sought information about the service offered at Copperbeech from Wirral Department of Adults Social Services. No issues of concern were raised.