Bluebird Care (Liverpool)

Updated 22 May 2019

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

Inspection team: The inspection was undertaken by one adult social care inspector.

Service and service type: Bluebird Care Liverpool is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care to people in their own homes.

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: This inspection was announced on the 8 May 2019. We gave 12 hours’ notice as this is a small service and office staff may be out in the community working.

Inspection site visit activity started on 9 May 2019 and we visited the office location on the to see the registered manager, the provider, a coordinator, the new care manager and to review care records and policies and procedures. We spent time visiting two people in the community on 9 May 2019. We also spent time talking to six family members and two care staff.

What we did: Before the inspection

We reviewed notifications, we received from the service in line with their legal obligations.

We looked at information the provider had sent us about the service in the Provider Information Return (PIR). This is information we require providers to send 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 looked at the care records belonging to three people using the service, three staff recruitment records, medicine administration charts and other records relevant to the quality monitoring of the service.

We reviewed records of safeguarding investigations, accidents, incidents and complaints.

We discussed quality assurance processes and checked recruitment, supervision and training information.

We spoke with two people who used the service and with six relatives of people using the service, two care and support staff, the care manager, the coordinator, the registered manager and the registered provider.

Updated 22 May 2019

About the service: Bluebird Care (Liverpool) is a domiciliary care agency. Bluebird Care (Liverpool) provides care and support to people in their own homes. At the time of our visit, the service was providing care and support for 36 people. There were 32 care staff employed with on-going recruitment.

People’s experience of using this service: There was a strong person-centred culture. Staff knew the needs and preferences of the people they were supporting extremely well. Staff had developed very positive relationships with people and were seen to display kindness as well as compassionate support to them.

People received personalised care and support which was in line with their care plans. People's privacy and dignity was respected, and independence promoted. Staff were committed to improving the quality of life and opportunities available for people. Staff cared and supported people to a very high standard, always ensuring it was the person making decisions. The service had developed community links to reflect the needs of people. It worked with health and social care professionals to deliver improved outcomes and experiences for people.

Staff showed a good understanding of their roles and responsibilities for keeping people safe from harm.

Medicines were managed safely, and people received their prescribed medicines at the right time. Health needs were understood and met.

There were sufficient numbers of safely recruited and suitably qualified staff to meet people's individual needs.

Staff received a range of training and support appropriate to their role and people's needs.

The registered provider complied with the principles of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005. Staff understood and respected people's right to make their own decisions where possible and encouraged people to make decisions about the care they received. Consent had been sought before any care had been delivered in line with legal requirements.

People knew how to make a complaint and they were confident about complaining should they need to.

The registered manager, who is now also the operations manager, was described as extremely supportive and approachable. They demonstrated a good understanding of their roles and responsibilities as a registered person. They worked in partnership with other agencies to ensure people received care and support that was consistent with their assessed needs.

Rating at last inspection: Good (Date published 15 November 2016)

Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection based upon the ratings at the last inspection.

Follow up: We will continue to monitor this service and plan to inspect in line with our re-inspection schedule.

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