Bluebird Care Oxford

Updated 19 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 was planned to check 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 took place on 25 October 2017 and was unannounced. The provider was given 48 hours’ notice because the location provides a domiciliary care service and we needed to be sure that someone would be in.

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Prior to the inspection we looked at information we held about the service. This included previous inspection reports and notifications sent in by the provider. Notifications are incidents the provider is required by law to submit to CQC. We also sent out questionnaires and received completed questionnaires from 24 people, four relatives, one community health professional and eleven staff

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.

During the inspection we spoke with the provider, the registered manager, the training manager, a coordinator, two lead supervisors and one care worker. We looked at four people's care records, four staff files and a range of records relating to the management of the service.

Following the inspection at the registered location we spoke with three people who used the service and two relatives.

Updated 19 December 2017

Bluebird Care (South Oxfordshire) is a domiciliary care service supporting people with personal care in their own homes. At the time of the inspection there were 59 people being supported by the service.

At our inspection in August 2015 the service was rated Good. At this inspection on 25 October 2017 the service remained Good.

The provider and registered manager promoted a culture that respected and valued everyone. The provider looked for ways to continually improve the quality of care and ensured they met the fundamental standards of care.

People were supported by staff who understood their responsibilities to manage risks and report concerns where there were any issues relating to people's safety. Medicines were managed safely. Care calls were monitored to ensure people did not experience missed visits.

People were 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.

Staff were positive about the support and development opportunities they received. The provider ensured staff had the skills and knowledge to meet people's needs.

Staff had a caring approach to their work and understood the importance of treating people with dignity and respect. People were involved in their care and told us they were listened to.

People and relatives had developed positive relationships with care staff and management. People's care record's reflected their individual preferences and gave staff clear guidance about how people's needs were met.

Complaints were responded to in an open and transparent way, in line with the providers policy.

There were effective systems to monitor and improve the service, which included systems to gather people's feedback about the service.