Bluebird Care (Ipswich)

At the service's last inspection of 5 and 6 September 2017 this service was rated requires improvement overall. The key questions for effective, caring, responsive and well-led were rated good. The key question for safe was rated requires improvement. This was because improvements were required in the way the service managed people's medicines and the ways that risks were assessed and mitigated. There was a breach of Regulation 12: Safe care and treatment of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. The service wrote to us to tell us how they were implementing the required improvements. At this inspection on 5 and 7 December 2018 we found that improvements had been made, there were no breaches of Regulation and the service was rated good overall and in all the key questions.

There was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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.

There were systems designed to provide people with safe care. Improvements had been made in how the service assessed and reduced risks to people. Improvements had been made in how people were supported with their medicines. Risks to people were managed, including risks from abuse and in their daily lives. There were enough care workers to ensure that all planned visits for people were completed. Care workers were recruited safely. The service learned from incidents to improve the service. There were infection control procedures to reduce the risks of cross infection.

People continued to receive an effective service. Care workers were trained and supported to meet the needs of the people using the service. Where people required assistance with their dietary needs, this was provided. People were supported to have access to health professionals where needed. The service worked with other organisations involved in people's care to provide a consistent service. The service understood and worked to the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

People continued to receive a caring service. People had positive relationships with their care workers. People's dignity, privacy and independence were respected and promoted. People's views were listened to and valued.

People continued to receive a responsive service. People received care and support which was assessed, planned and delivered to meet their individual needs. There were plans in place to improve how people's end of life decisions were recorded, there were no people using the service who were at the end of their life.

A complaints procedure was in place and people's concerns were addressed.

People continued to receive a service which was well-led. There were systems to assess and monitor the service provided. Where improvements were identified actions were taken to address them.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found