Archived: Bluebird Care (Bath & North East Somerset)

Bluebird Care (Bath and North East Somerset) is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care to people in their own homes. Some people also had live in carers arranged and monitored by the service. At the time of our inspection there were 60 people using the service.

Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also consider any wider social care provided.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People were supported by kind and caring staff who knew how to keep them safe from potential abuse. Most people and relatives thought there were enough staff who let them know if they were running late for visits. Alternatives were found when staff were not available. Risks had been assessed. Although in some care plans there were inconsistencies that were rectified during the inspection.

Staff had received enough training to meet people’s needs. When it was required, specialist training was sourced to meet people’s health conditions. New staff told us they received a good induction. People were supported with food and meals in line with their preferences.

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 was personalised to each person’s needs and wishes. Improvements could be made on how accessible information was for them. Systems were in place to manage concerns and complaints. The service was well led and valued people and staff views. One staff member had won an award. Events were held so people were part of the community.

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right support, right care, right culture is the statutory guidance which supports CQC to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people. We considered this guidance as there were people using the service who have a learning disability and or who are autistic.

People’s with learning disabilities and autistic people had a good quality of life. Communication books were in place to help staff understand people with limited verbal communication. Care plans considered the person holistically including aspirations and goals. Small improvements were found to enhance their lives further and ensure right support, right care, right culture was embedded in all practice.

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 11 October 2019 and this is the first inspection.

The last rating for the service under the previous provider was requires improvement, published on 8 March 2019.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.