This was an announced inspection which took place on 23 and 24 May 2017. Bluebird Care (Newbury) is a domiciliary care service which is registered to provide personal care to people living in their own homes. The service re-registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in June 2016 after a change of address. The service currently provides personal care to 51 people who live in the Newbury and West Berkshire area. Most people offered a service are self-funding (pay for their own care).

There is a registered manager running the service. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission 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.

People were kept as safe as possible by staff who had been appropriately trained and knew how to protect people in their care. Care staff were recruited via robust recruitment processes to ensure they were suitable to provide safe care to people. General risks and risks to individuals were identified and action was taken to reduce them. People were supported to take their medicines safely, at the right times and in the right amounts by trained and competent staff.

People were provided with care that met their individual needs, preferences and choices. They were supported and encouraged to make decisions and choices about their care. Staff upheld people’s legal rights with regard to decision making and choice. People’s rights were protected by a management team who understood the Mental Capacity Act (2005). This legislation provides a legal framework that sets out how to act to support people who do not have capacity to make a specific decision. 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.

People's needs were met by a committed and caring staff team who built strong relationships with people. People’s diversity was recognised and respected and they were treated with respect and dignity at all times.

The service was well managed by a registered manager and management team who were described as approachable, open and supportive. The service had a number of ways to monitor and assess the quality of care they offered. Any shortfalls or improvements needed were identified and acted upon.