The New Bungalow

Updated 29 August 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 inspection took place on 9 July 2018 and was unannounced. The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Prior to the inspection, we reviewed information we held about the service, such as previous inspection reports, and any notifications received by the Care Quality Commission. A notification is information about important events, which the provider is required to tell us about by law. The provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). A PIR is information we require providers to send to us at least once annually 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 registered manager, deputy manager and two care staff, two people that use the service, and a relative. We used direct observations and interviews with people to gain their perspective of the service. We looked at two care plans and risk assessments, three recruitment files, medicine records, quality assurance surveys and audits. After the inspection we spoke with a care staff and a relative.

Updated 29 August 2018

Care service description

The New Bungalow is a residential care home for up to six people with a learning disability who may also have a physical disability. At the time of our inspection there were five people living at the service. The New Bungalow is a detached bungalow, in the small rural village of Aldington. Each person had a single bedroom and there is a shared bathroom, shower room, and two separate toilets.

The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

Rating at last inspection

At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good 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.

Why the service is rated Good

Suitable processes were in operation to safeguard people from potential harm and abuse. Risks to people, and the environment had been assessed and mitigated. There were enough staff to meet people’s needs, and the provider had recruited them safely. People received their medicines when required, and in a safe way. People were protected by the prevention and control of infection. Accidents and incidents were recorded, and used as an opportunity to learn and improve.

People’s needs had been assessed and reviewed. Staff had the knowledge, training and support to deliver effective care and treatment. People were supported to maintain a balanced diet. Staff worked in partnership externally and internally, providing people with access to on-going healthcare support. The service had been adapted to meet the needs of the people living there. 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 support this practice.

People were treated with dignity and respect by a staff team that were caring towards them. People made decisions about their care and support, and took part in reviews. People were supported to be independent, with staff respecting their privacy.

People received person centred care specific to their needs. People took part in the activities they chose and enjoyed. There had been no complaints since our last inspection. Staff knew about people’s wishes and care preference at the end of their life.

Stakeholders were united in their feedback that the service was well-led. There was a positive culture that promoted good outcomes for people. The registered manager understood and met their regulatory responsibility. People, their relatives and staff feedback was sought and used to improve the service. The manager had built good relationships with external organisations including safeguarding.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.