CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at The Bungalow
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about infection prevention, visiting arrangements, protective equipment, testing, safe admissions and social distancing. The provider said it had measures to manage COVID-19-related staffing pressures.
- Effective?
- Good
- This was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, February 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control, clean premises and safe visiting arrangements.
This was a targeted, announced inspection about infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and staffing pressures linked to COVID-19. The report gives the service an overall rating of “Inspected but not rated”.
Inspectors said they were assured that visitors, people using the service and staff were protected from infection. This included safe use of protective equipment, testing, social distancing, admissions and visiting arrangements.
The home was clean and fresh. Staff supported people to use local facilities, such as parks and the cinema, in line with COVID-19 guidance. The report does not give a full rating for the quality of care.
Visitor safety
The home had a strong process for managing visitors to help protect people using the service.
“There was a robust visitor management procedure in place to ensure people living at the service were kept safe.” from the report
Clean environment
Inspectors found the home clean and fresh. Cleaning schedules and deep cleaning between respite visits were in place.
“The home was clean and fresh, and schedules were in place to ensure hygiene and cleanliness levels were maintained by staff.” from the report
Access to the community
People continued to use local facilities, including parks and the cinema, in line with COVID-19 guidance.
“People continued to be supported to safely access local facilities such as parks and cinema, in line with COVID-19 guidance.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How do you currently manage staffing pressures and make sure they do not affect care?
- 02How will you support my relative to visit local facilities and take part in activities?
- 03What infection prevention measures are currently in place for visitors and new admissions?
- 04How often are bedrooms deep cleaned between respite visits?
- 05What recent full inspection ratings or findings should we consider alongside this targeted report?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; it was not a full inspection and the service was not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 8 February 2022 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
What inspectors found, February 2020
Rated Good; inspectors found kind, personalised care, with minor improvements needed in recruitment records and quality monitoring.
This was an unannounced inspection on 29 and 30 January 2020. One inspector observed care, spoke with one person, three relatives and six staff, and reviewed care, medicine, recruitment and management records.
The home was rated Good overall and Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found people were safe, treated kindly, supported to make choices and helped to take part in activities and build independence.
There were two minor shortfalls. One staff file did not contain a full employment history, and the manager said some quality monitoring could improve. Evidence sent after the inspection showed action had started, and inspectors said the recruitment risk had been reduced.
Kind and individual care
Staff knew people well and supported them in a calm, compassionate way. Relatives and people gave positive feedback about the care.
“People were supported by a kind and compassionate staff team who had got to know them as individuals with their own likes and preferences.” from the report
Choice and independence
People were supported to make decisions at their own pace and to develop daily living skills such as cooking, cleaning and laundry.
“People were in control of their support at the service and staff knew how to help people do this.” from the report
Personalised activities
Activities were based on people's interests and included opportunities both inside and outside the home. Staff recorded activities so people could identify what they wanted to do again.
“People were supported to take part in a wide variety of activities both in and out of the service.” from the report
Safe support
Inspectors found good safeguarding arrangements, enough staff, detailed risk assessments and safe medicines procedures.
“People were kept safe at the service and staff members had a good understanding of safeguarding people from abuse.” from the report
Positive management
The management team encouraged feedback, worked with other professionals and acted promptly on improvements identified during the inspection.
“The manager and deputy manager were keen to continually improve the service.” from the report
Incomplete recruitment record
needs fixingOne staff file did not contain a full employment history. The provider reviewed all staff files and updated its recruitment policy after the inspection.
“In one file we reviewed, the provider had not ensured that there was a full employment history recorded for a staff member.” from the report
Quality monitoring improvements
minorThe manager accepted that some parts of the quality management system needed improvement. Evidence showed that work had begun after the inspection.
“The manager acknowledged that there were improvements which could be made in some areas of the quality management of the service.” from the report
- 01What checks are now completed for every staff member, including recording their full employment history?
- 02What changes have been made to quality audits since the inspection, and how are you checking that they work?
- 03How will you support my relative to make choices and build independence during respite stays?
- 04What vehicles and transport arrangements are available for activities and access to the community?
- 05How will you adapt communication and activities to my relative's individual needs and interests?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five key questions, and both the premises and the care provided were looked at. This explanation was written from the published report of 25 February 2020 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
Every inspection of The Bungalow
3 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- February 2020Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2013
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 25 April 2013.
Ratings and report dates from the Care Quality Commission, Open Government Licence v3.0. A home can also be visited without a new rating being published, so the timeline shows published inspections.
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At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Central Bedfordshire
These are self-employed carers on PrimeCarers, the introductory agency that runs this directory. Each has a profile with their own rates and reviews from families, and you choose who to talk to.
Most charge £980 to £1,260 a week. 83 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“We can all fully relax around Nyarai and she feels like part of our family, which is no mean feat!”
“She handled the new situation in front of her with such professionalism and I felt I could trust her 100%.”
Every carer has had an enhanced DBS check in the last 18 months, ID and right-to-work checks and an online interview. Their skills and training are for you to check with them. Carers set their own rates, and who is free changes week to week.