This inspection took place on 30 January 2017 and was unannounced. Copperbeech is a four storey detached building set in its own grounds in a residential area. The home had 17 en-suite bedrooms over three floors and three self-contained bedsits in the basement. People who lived at the home had mental health support needs and their age range was from 20s to 70s.

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 30 January 2017 and was unannounced. Copperbeech is a four storey detached building set in its own grounds in a residential area. The home had 17 en-suite bedrooms over three floors and three self-contained bedsits in the basement. People who lived at the home had mental health support needs and their age range was from 20s to 70s.

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.

We spoke to five people who used the service all of which provided very positive comments about the care at the home. Staff were witnessed as being kind and promoting people's independence. People's needs were assessed and care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with their individual care plan.

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”.

People were able to express their views and were involved in making decisions about their care and treatment. One person spoken with confirmed they had been involved in the production of their support plans.

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.