Service improves at Braeburn

Improvements continue to be made at Braeburn Court housing and care at home support service, according to a Care Inspectorate report.

An unannounced inspection took place in July 2023 in follow up to an earlier visit by inspectors in February/March 2023.

The service, which looks after up to 14 older and vulnerable people in their own tenancies, has “stabilised” following interim management arrangements being put in place, the report stated.

Other key messages:

• Staff benefited from improved training and access to management support.
• Personal plans had been updated and reflected people's needs and preferences.
• Improved links with external professionals supported improved health outcomes for people.
• People benefited from compassionate support from people who knew them well.
• Quality assurance systems should be embedded and developed to ensure sustained improvement.
• A service improvement plan informed by the views of people who use the service should be developed.

Inspectors evaluated the areas of supporting people’s wellbeing as “adequate” (unchanged); leadership as “adequate” (up from weak in March); the staff team as “adequate” (new) and care and support planning as “adequate” (unchanged).

Head of Health and Community Care, Lynda Bradford, said: “In response to the last inspection a temporary manager and additional senior staff were appointed. Inspectors acknowledged that this resulted in better management oversight and improvements in key areas of care and support.

“We are pleased to see recognition of the positive interactions between staff and tenants with our team supporting tenants with ‘respect and compassion’. Our tenants confirmed they felt safe and well supported. Comments included ‘the staff are here when I need them’, ‘staff are very caring and kind’, and ‘they are willing to do anything for me’.

“Whilst we have met a number of the earlier requirements, there remain areas for improvement and we will continue to work on those.”

The full report can be accessed here: https://www.careinspectorate.com/index.php/inspection-reports