Background to this inspection
Updated
11 October 2018
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 was a comprehensive inspection which took place on 22 August 2018. We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection visit because the location provides a domiciliary care service and we needed to be sure the registered manager would be in to facilitate the inspection.
The inspection was undertaken by one adult social care inspector and an expert by experience. An expert-by-experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service. Their area of expertise included experience with children with disabilities.
Prior to our inspection we contacted the local authority commissioning team and the safeguarding team. This helped us to gain a balanced view of what people experienced accessing the service. We received no negative comments or concerns.
We looked at notifications received by CQC. We had received a provider information return form (PIR). This form asks the provider to give us some key information about what the service does well and what improvements they plan to make.
During the inspection we spoke with the registered manager and seven members of care staff. We spoke with six families who were supported by the service. The young people we visited were non-verbal and unable to speak with us, but we observed their body language and staff interactions with them. We also spoke with four health and social care professionals who came into the office to speak with us. All the feedback we received was extremely positive and health and social professionals told us this was a service they would recommend to others.
We looked at records including four support plans, four staff personnel records, training records, health and safety records, audits and meeting minutes.
Updated
11 October 2018
Bridges Family Support is a service which provides domiciliary support to children and young people up to the age of 19 years, with a range of disabilities. At the time of the inspection there were 38 people using the service.
At our last inspection we rated the service outstanding. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of outstanding and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.
People we spoke with told us they felt safe. The service adhered to the local authority safeguarding children and adults policies. Staff had received appropriate training and updates.
The service continued to have robust recruitment systems in place. The staff team remained at appropriate levels to enable them to meet the needs of the young people who currently used the service.
General and individual risk assessments were in place and the service remained committed to their ‘can do’ philosophy. Risks were thoroughly assessed and minimised, but the service continued to support people to achieve their full potential and reach their personal goals.
There was an appropriate medicines policy and procedure in place. Medication systems remained robust. Care files included a good range of health and personal information.
The induction programme was robust and training was on-going. The service was working within the legal requirements of The Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA).
Staff interactions were warm and friendly and demonstrated respect for all the young people and their families. The service was flexible and person-centred. Support plans and risk assessments were regularly reviewed.
Records were stored securely and staff were aware of all aspects of confidentiality within their work. The service took concerns seriously and listened to families to try to resolve any issues promptly. We saw a number of compliments from both young people and their families.
The registered manager was accessible to staff and families. Appropriate referrals were made to other agencies and excellent partnership working was evidenced. Families felt the connections had a huge impact on enabling them to make contact with those services
Since the last inspection the service had won the local council’s ‘Best Customer Care’ award. The service had an appropriate statement of purpose.
Quality assurance was a high priority and we saw a number of audits, service reviews and competency checks which helped ensure the service continued to operate at a very high standard.
Further information is in the detailed findings below.