This was an announced inspection, which took place on 28 and 29 September 2017. Bluebird Care (Bury) is a well-established service that has had a change of legal entity and the provider is now registered as Yasnad Limited. Therefore this is the first rated inspection of the service.

At the time of our inspection 155 people were using the service, covering a wide range of care and support arrangements in their own homes. No children were using the service.

There was a registered manager in post. 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. The registered manager was present throughout our inspection.

People told us they had no concerns about their safety. Staff had received training in safeguarding adults. Staff were encouraged to report any abuse they witnessed or suspected.

Systems were in place to help ensure that only staff suitable to work with children and vulnerable adults were employed by the service.

There was a stable staff team in place, who knew people well. This helped to ensure consistency and continuity of care for people. There were sufficient numbers of support workers available to ensure the safe running of the service.

Detailed risk management plans were in place to guide staff on the action to take to mitigate the identified risks to people.

Systems were in place to help ensure the safe administration of medicines, including where people who used the service or family members took responsibility for their own medicines.

Staff had access to protective clothing such as disposable gloves and aprons when needed. This helped to the reduced the risk of cross infection.

Staff received the induction, training and supervision they required to be able to provide safe and effective care.

Most people who used the service had the capacity to make decisions for themselves. Staff had received training in the Mental Capacity Act and this helped them to understand their responsibilities where people lacked capacity.

People chose what they wanted to eat and drink. Where there was an identified risk of malnutrition people’s food and fluid was monitored and advice from the appropriate healthcare professionals was requested.

People were supported to maintain good physical and mental health through regular monitoring by both staff and external professionals.

Feedback from people who used the service was very positive about the care and support they received from members of the staff team.

During the Macmillan coffee morning we observed warm and friendly interactions between staff and people who used the service.

People were encouraged to provide feedback on the service they received. Any complaints or suggestions were acted upon to help improve people’s experience of the service.

Staff we spoke with told us they enjoyed working in the service and felt valued by colleagues, the nominated individual, the registered manager and the management team.

Quality assurance systems were in place including regular audits and checks completed by the registered manager.