Archived: Bridge House

Updated 16 December 2017

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This inspection was carried out on 26 and 30 October 2017 by one adult social care inspector. The inspection took place over two days and was unannounced on the first day and announced on the second day.

During our inspection we visited five people at their supported living accommodation. We observed care and support within the communal areas of each supported living accommodation we visited. We also observed staff interactions within people's own homes when we were invited to visit them. We spoke to the parents of two people supported by the service. We also spoke with five support workers, two service managers, a member of administration staff and the registered manager. We had the opportunity to speak to all the directors of the service throughout the inspection. We looked at six people’s care plan files, five staff recruitment and training files and records relating to the management of the service.

Before the inspection the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

We also reviewed the information we held about the service. This included any notifications received from the registered manager, safeguarding referrals, concerns about the service and other information from members of the public. We contacted the local authority safeguarding team who told us they had no immediate concerns regarding the service.

Updated 16 December 2017

Bridge House is a domiciliary care service offering support to people within their own homes and also within supported living accommodation. The service supports 26 people in the Chester and Ellesmere Port area.

This inspection took place on the 26 and 30 October 2017. The first day was unannounced and the second day was announced to allow time for appointments to be made for visits to be undertaken to people's own homes and supported living services. The previous inspection took place on 11 and 15 December 2014 and the service was rated overall good.

The service remained good.

There were sufficient staff to support people's needs. People were involved in the safe recruitment of staff and were happy with their regular and consistent support. Staff had the appropriate skills and knowledge to support people with their individual needs.

Medicines were managed safely and robust systems were in place for the safe storage, ordering and administration of these.

Staff had all received training in all key topics required to ensure they could knowledgeably fulfil their roles. Training refreshers took place regularly.

People are supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People fully participated in the preparation of their care plans and risk assessments. They attended regular reviews and invited people of their choice to attend these meetings.

The registered provider had introduced two community enterprises with the full participation of the people supported since our last inspection. People were fully involved in the running of the community shop and café.

People had the opportunity to participate in activities of their choice. These activities included social events, volunteering opportunities and holidays.

People's dietary needs were assessed and fully met. Relatives told us people's health needs were well supported.

The management team had robust systems in place to continually monitor the service and this information was used to drive up improvements.

The registered provider offered accessible documents to meet the individual needs of people.