13 January 2016.
During a routine inspection
Bluebird Care (Huntingdon) LTD is registered to provide personal care to people who live in their own homes. The service's registered office is located on the outskirts of Huntingdon.
At the time of our inspection there were 22 people receiving personal care from the service.
This announced inspection took place on 13 January 2016 2015. This was to make sure that the provider was in when we visited.
The service had a registered manager in post. 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.
The suitability and skills of staff were ensured through a robust recruitment and induction process. This helped ensure that staff met legal requirements. People’s needs were met by a sufficient number of staff at the times people wanted.
Staff were trained in, and had their competence for, medicine’s administration regularly assessed. Safe medicines administration and management practices were adhered to. Staff had the necessary knowledge and skills to be confident in identifying and reporting any harm should this ever occur.
The CQC is required by law to monitor the operation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and to report on what we find. The registered manager and some staff were knowledgeable about the situations where an assessment of people’s mental capacity could be required. No person using the service lacked mental capacity or required care that was in their best interests. However, not all staff had an embedded understanding of the MCA. This meant there was a risk of people being provided with care that was not always in their best interests should this be required.
People’s care was provided with compassion by dedicated staff who knew and understood people’s preferences. People’s privacy and dignity was respected by staff who adhered to good standards of care. People were supported to make decisions about the aspects of their lives that were important to them.
People and family members were involved in planning their care provision. This also included the registered manager, senior care staff, healthcare professionals and care managers. Advocacy arrangements were in place to support those people who required someone to speak up on their behalf. Regular reviews of people’s care were completed to help ensure that people were provided with care and support based upon their latest information.
People were supported to access a range of health care professionals including a GP. Health care advice and guidance was adhered to. Prompt action was taken in response to people’s health care needs.
People were supported, where required, to ensure they ate and drank sufficient quantities. People had the choice to eat their favourite foods where and when they wanted to.
People were supported to raise concerns or suggestions in a way which respected their rights. Staff responded quickly to any changes in a people’s well-being and if they had concerns about their care details. Information and guidance about how to raise compliments or concerns was made available to people and their relatives.
Effective audits and quality assurance procedures were in place. This helped identify good practice, areas for improvement and what worked well. The registered provider attended a range of meetings to help ensure good practice was identified and shared. Support was provided to develop staff’ skills and obtain additional care related qualifications.