About this location
Located in Parkend, in the Forest of Dean, Birches Grove offers residential support for four males and females with a learning disability or mental health needs. Our home is a short distance to the local village.
Our team are dedicated to supporting our residents to live a healthy, happy, independent life and access their local community.
We can also support those who have diabetes.
Services at a glance
There are a total of four bedrooms at the site. Of these:
Map
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About our service
Our facilities and environment
Our home is a detached, house, which offers a relaxed, homely environment. There are four bedrooms in the house. All of the bedrooms are on the first floor and two have en-suite facilities. There is also a communal bathroom.
One the ground floor, there is a communal kitchen, dining room, toilet and lounge. Our home does not have locked kitchens and is open plan.
In summary, we offer:
- A large lounge with plenty of seating
- Kitchen and dining room
- Communal bathroom
We also have our own garden, complete with secure fencing and a patio.
Our bedrooms
All of our bedrooms are comfortable, welcoming and can be personalised to individual tastes. Two of our bedrooms have en-suite facilities, containing either a shower or a bath.
Our approach to support
Everybody who lives at Birches Grove has their own person-centred care plan, which is co-produced with input from the individual, their family members and professionals involved in their care. We aim to help everyone in our care to make their own choices about the support they receive. This may include support in a number of areas, such as going out in the community, personal care, cooking and cleaning, managing finances and maintaining family relationships.
We also have support from a local multidisciplinary team to offer additional services. In addition, we use tools such as the Outcomes Star™ to support our residents to achieve their goals. The lengths of the placements that we offer at Birches Grove can be medium or long-term residential, depending on the needs of each person.
Activities
Everyone who lives at Birches Grove has their own personalised activities planner and are encouraged to take part in activities which are meaningful and fulfilling to them. Our dedicated team organise a variety of activities at the home, as well as out in the community.
We focus on supporting our residents to grow their independence. For some people, this may mean developing their daily living skills within the home. For others, this could be accessing work or educational opportunities in the local community.
Exclusion profile
- Those who pose a risk to others in communal living areas
- Those who may present with behaviours that physically challenge
- Those with mobility issues, as we have no disabled access and all the bedrooms are on the first floor
- Those with personality disorders
Pathways
Through our network of healthcare, residential and supported living facilities, we provide unique care pathways which help the people we support to progress towards greater independence. Every individual we support is provided with a bespoke pathway plan, tailored according to their individual needs. We aim to ensure that each person is supported to live a fulfilling and active life in the community.
Our team
Our highly experienced team consists of:
- Service manager
- Deputy manager
- Support workers
Our team receive specialist staff training, designed to meet the needs of each individual we support.
A message from our site leader
Birches Grove provides quality support for the residents who use our service. We respect their right to make choices, maintain dignity and receive the best of care to suit their individual needs. We offer a warm and homely environment with opportunities for our individuals to extend and enhance the quality of their day to day living. Our residents each have a learning disability and are all supported by experienced staff, ensuring their physical, intellectual, emotional and social needs are met.
Birches Grove’s site leader
Comments from our residents and their family and friends
I spoke to my relative on the phone today to wish her a happy birthday and she sounded the best she has sounded for three years! I am astounded! She was happy and positive and didn’t say even one negative thing during the whole conversation. I would like to say an enormous thank you to all the staff. They do a difficult job and I want to let them know how appreciative and grateful I am for their help looking after my relative and meeting all her needs.
Since moving into Birches Grove, I have gained far more independence and enjoy living in a smaller home.
Family and friends FAQs
How does home leave work?
Home leave often means we drop home or pick up to promote visits, however this does depend on each resident and the support they require.
Can friends and families visit?
Yes, family and friends are welcome to visit. We do ask that we are informed in advance of all visits as some residents may become stressed or anxious when unknown visitors arrive. Unfortunately, we cannot cater for visitors to stay overnight. However, there is a local B&B within walking distance.
Will I be involved and kept up to date with the progress of my loved one’s care and support?
We can arrange regular meetings to keep families informed, either in person or via the telephone.
Will my loved one be able to have a phone or call me?
Birches Grove is unfortunately set in a semi-rural area with limited mobile phone signal however residents are able to use the landline to contact loved ones when they choose to.
What are the bedrooms like?
All our bedrooms at Birches Grove are fully furnished, we support residents to personalise their space to suit them and to choose their own colour scheme for their room. Residents are encouraged to make their bedrooms person centred.
Are external doors kept locked?
No, the service does not have a locked door. The people staying with us can come and go as they wish and access the local community.
What do residents eat and how do meal times work?
Residents are supported at mealtimes, dependent upon their needs and care package. They are all given choice and like to have input with their weekly menu planning. Some residents may need further support with healthy balanced diets for medical needs and this would be done with involvement from the resident, or a Best Interest approach would be used.
How does laundry work?
The service has a laundry room which is accessible, and our staff are able to support residents.
Who does the housekeeping and domiciliary tasks?
Residents can take part in cleaning and domestic tasks dependent upon their ability and choice. Residents have an active role in planning their tasks.
Is there anything they can’t bring or have?
Residents are not allowed to bring illegal substances onto the premises. Each person has their own belongings that they keep in their bedrooms.
How do activities work?
Each resident has an activity planner, the activities and length are dependent on their individual care package and any additional support. Individuals are encouraged to choose activities to ensure it is person centred.
How will residents be supported with their behavioural needs?
The service does not predominantly cater for people with behaviours that challenge. Our staff are trained to deliver positive behavioural support (PBS), de-escalation and low arousal techniques to address any behavioural needs.
Do residents and families have an input into the care plans?
Yes, each resident is involved as much as practically possible in their support plans, those that lack capacity are still given choices and supported to make choices where they are able to. Care plans are regularly reviewed, and residents have a one-to-one key worker meeting each month regarding aspects of their care plans.
What are the car parking facilities?
We have a small driveway for two vehicles. There is a cul-de-sac nearby where people can park however the turning circle area should not be used.
What is the smoking policy?
There is a designated smoking area outside. Smoking is not permitted indoors in the service at any time.
What are your fees and how are they funded?
Our fees can vary and are based on an assessment of each individual's needs. Many people are eligible for financial help towards the cost of support, and this funding can be accessed by contacting your local authority. Once funding has been agreed, we will work with your local care team to put together a bespoke package of care. Please note, referrals for NHS or Local Authority funded services must come from a referring organisation.
How to make a referral
Our service provides high quality support to people with varying levels of need. Referrals can be made through the individual’s social care team or, if relevant, their local health authority. If you are a professional looking to make a referral, please call us or fill in our enquiry form.