Bonney Care Agency

Updated 14 July 2022

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

The inspection was completed by one inspector.

Service and service type

This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats. This service also provides care and support to people living in a ‘supported living’ setting , so that they can live as independently as possible. People’s care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support.

Registered Manager

This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post, they were also the provider.

Notice of inspection

We gave the service 72 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because we wanted to ensure the registered manager would be available. We also required consent from people to visit them in their supported living setting.

Inspection activity started on 21 June 2022 and ended on 24 June 2022. We visited the office location on 24 June 2022.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with five people about their care and support, we also spoke with one relative, a family friend, and a personal assistant for their experience of the service. We reviewed a range of records including the relevant sections of four people’s care records and medicines records and audits and checks. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment, supervision, spot checks and training. We spoke with the registered manager and five support workers.

What we did after the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. This included reviewing policies and procedures.

Updated 14 July 2022

About the service

Bonney Care Agency provides care to people living in their own homes and in a supported living setting. People's care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for supported living. 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. At the time of our inspection, ten people were receiving personal care.

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

People received safe care and support. Staff were aware of their responsibilities to protect people from abuse and avoidable harm. Risks had been assessed and planned for and staff had guidance of actions required to mitigate risks. People told us they felt well supported to remain safe.

There were enough staff to provide care. People had not experienced any missed calls, and if staff were running late due to traffic or unforeseen circumstances, people were notified. Care call records confirmed staff stayed for the duration expected. People were supported by regular staff, this provided continuity and consistency in care. The management team covered any staff shortfalls, recruitment was ongoing and followed safe recruitment checks.

Where people received support with their prescribed medicines, staff had guidance and checks were completed to ensure support was completed safely. Infection prevention and control best practice guidance was followed.

People’s individual care needs were assessed, and staff had guidance of how to provide care and support that was individual to the person. Staff received ongoing training and support and had their competency assessed.

People received support to access health services when required, and staff provided support with eating and drinking care needs.

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.

People were supported by staff who were kind, caring and respectful. Positive feedback was received about the approach of staff. Independence was promoted and people were supported with interest, hobbies and social inclusion opportunities.

People’s communication needs had been assessed and staff had detailed information of how best to communicate with people effectively. Information had been made available in alternative formats such as easy read.

The provider had a complaints procedure and a quality assurance process that enabled people to share their experience about the service they received. People’s support plans were regularly reviewed and their care package was discussed with them and changes were made when required. The provider had robust audits and checks that monitored quality and safety.

Staff were positive about working for the service and clearly understood the providers vision and values of supporting people to live independently and fulfilling lives.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for the service was good (published 27 September 2018). Since then the provider has changed its legal entity.

Why we inspected

This inspection was completed due to the provider’s registration history.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Bonney Care Agency on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Follow up

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