Archived: KIDS Bracknell

Updated 11 August 2021

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by an inspector, a specialist advisor 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.

Service and service type

This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.

Inspection activity started on 15 July 2021 and ended on 23 July 2021. We visited the office location on 21 July 2021.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we held and had received about the service since its registration. We sought feedback from the local authority, safeguarding team and other professionals who work with the service. We checked information held by Companies House and the Information Commissioner’s Office. We checked for any online reviews and relevant social media, and we looked at the content of the provider’s website. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with three relatives about their experience of the care provided to their children. We wrote to the nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider. We spoke with the registered manager. We received feedback from the regional manager and another six staff. We contacted the local authority and received two written replies from social workers.

We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and medicines administration records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. After the site visit, we requested and received further information from the registered manager about quality assurance processes.

Updated 11 August 2021

About the service

KIDS Bracknell is a community-based care provider for children and young people aged up to 25 years old. The service supports people living with learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder and those with a sensory impairment or physical disability.

KIDS is a bespoke care provider with five registered locations. They provide a range of services such as personal care, respite, short breaks, group sessions and befriending. The provider also runs services regulated by Ofsted. At the time of the inspection, four children and young people were receiving personal care or support from the service.

Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do, we also consider any wider social care provided.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

Children and young people were protected from abuse, neglect and discrimination. Staff knew the vulnerability of people who used the service, and ensured their risk of sustaining harm was reduced. The service protected people and families from the risks of COVID-19 and supported them well during the pandemic and lockdowns.

Staff had the necessary knowledge, skills and competencies to provide effective care. People’s likes, dislikes and preferences for care were recorded in their care plans. Community-based social and healthcare staff were involved in people’s care when required. Consent was obtained and recorded in the right way.

Relatives told us the help and support received for their children was invaluable. This meant they could enjoy life in their own home safely and with the right support. They told us staff exceeded their expected responsibilities and helped their children to live as independently as possible. The staff, registered manager and provider shared a vision to foster the rights of children living with a learning disability or autism. The service promoted and celebrated equality, diversity and human rights.

Care plans were personalised. They contained the necessary information for staff to provide support in accordance with people’s needs. The service understood the importance of communication with the children who received support, and ensured that there were alternative methods in place. There was a suitable complaints system in operation.

Families and staff said the service was well-led. There was an open, positive culture at the service. Staff worked towards clear organisational aims and objectives. There were positive comments about the registered manager from everyone we spoke with or contacted. Social care professionals confirmed the service worked closely with them to achieve good care outcomes for children and young people.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right Support, right care, right culture is the statutory guidance which supports CQC to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.

The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture. KIDS Bracknell were advocates for children and young people living with complex care needs. Care workers supported children, young people and their families to determine their own lifestyles. Staff provided very person-centred care in line with preferences set by people and their families. The provider had clear aims and objectives to ensure people with disabilities were protected, engaged in care and could live the best possible life. The clear focus of the support was on ensuring people and families enjoyed a good quality support. The staff, registered manager and provider shared the service's culture of ensuring people were at the centre of the care. The staff and provider listened to people and their families, and acted on ideas and suggestions.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 15 July 2020 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the date of registration.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.