Archived: Bluebird Care (Brighton & Hove)

Updated 2 June 2017

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked 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 8 May 2017 and was announced. This was so that key people could be available to participate in the inspection. Two inspectors undertook the inspection, with 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.

Before the inspection, we reviewed information we held about the service. This included previous inspection reports, complaints and any notifications. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send us by law. The provider was asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We contacted the local authority commissioning teams, who have responsibility for monitoring the quality and safety of the service provided to local authority funded people.

We spoke with 17 people using the service, and two relatives. We spoke with the registered manager, a care supervisor, seven care staff and a coordinator. We spent time reviewing the records of the service, including policies and procedures, people’s care and support plans, the recruitment records for three new care staff, compliments and complaints recording, accident/incident and safeguarding recording, and staff rotas. We also looked at the provider’s quality assurance audits.

Updated 2 June 2017

Bluebird Care (Brighton & Hove) is a domiciliary care service providing personal care for a range of people living in their own homes. The majority of people receiving a service were older people and some were living with dementia. At the time of our visit around 46 people were receiving a service.

At the last inspection on 18 February 2015, the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained overall Good.

Systems had been maintained to keep people safe. People and their relatives told us they felt people were safe with the care provided. They knew who they could talk with if they had any worries. They felt they could raise concerns and they would be listened to. Assessments of risks to people had been developed. Robust recruitment practices continued to be followed to ensure enough staff had been recruited to meet people’s care and support needs. Staff told us they had continued to receive supervision, and be supported to develop their skills and knowledge by receiving training which helped them to carry out their roles and responsibilities effectively. People told us care staff had the knowledge and skills to provide their care and support. One person told us, “The ones I have seen are.” Another person told us, “They seem to be very good.”

People's individual care and support needs had been identified before they received a service. Care and support provided was personalised and based on the identified needs of each person. People told us they felt listened to and they were involved in decisions about their care. Detailed care and support plans were in place and had been reviewed. One person told us, “The care plan review was attended by the social worker and nurse.” Another person told us, “We were asked carefully of our likes and dislikes.” Where people were unable to make decisions for themselves this had been considered under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, and appropriate actions continued to be followed to arrange meetings to make a decision within their best interests. Staff had a good understanding of consent.

People were happy with care provided. Comments received included, “Very satisfied,” “Certainly” and “More than satisfied. I cannot fault them in anyway.” People were supported by kind and caring staff who treated them with respect and dignity. They were spoken with and supported in a sensitive, respectful and professional manner. One person told us staff were, “Incredibly good and all are aware of my needs.”

If needed, people were supported with their food and drink and this was monitored regularly. People continued to be supported to maintain good health. One person told us, “On the odd occasions when I am not well they will come round and get in touch with the office.”

People, their relatives and staff told us the service was well led. Staff told us the manager was always approachable and had an open door policy if they required some advice or needed to discuss something. Senior staff carried out a range of internal audits, and records confirmed this. People and their relatives were regularly consulted about the care provided using quality assurance questionnaires.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.