Blessings Healthcare Services Limited

Updated 20 December 2018

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check 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 26 November 2018 and was announced. We gave the service 48 hours’ notice. This was to ensure staff were available that we needed to speak to. The inspection was completed by one adult social care inspector 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.

Due to technical problems, the provider was not able to complete a Provider Information Return. 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. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.

During the inspection, we spoke with three people and five relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with the registered manager, the provider who also worked in a management role, and five care staff.

We looked at four people’s care plans, staff supervisions, appraisals and required training records. We also looked at the provider's policies, procedures and other records relating to the management of the service, such as staff rotas, audits, and minutes of staff meetings. We considered how people, relatives and staff members comments were used to drive improvements in the service

Updated 20 December 2018

The inspection took place on 26 November 2018 and was announced.

Blessings Healthcare provides personal care to people who live in their own homes. The service is provided to both younger and older people who may have a physical disability or be living with dementia. On the day of the inspection 30 people received the regulated activity of personal care.

At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the overall rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

People were safeguarded from the risk of harm and abuse. Potential risks to people had been assessed to minimise the risk of harm. There were sufficient staff to provide people with their care safely. People received their medicines as required, from trained and competent staff. Staff ensured people were protected from the risk of acquiring an infection during the provision of their care. Processes were in place to ensure any incidents were reflected upon and relevant changes made for people's future safety.

People were cared for by staff who had received appropriate training, support and supervision in their role. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. People were supported to eat and drink sufficiently for their needs. Staff supported people to see a range of healthcare professionals in order to maintain good health and their wellbeing.

People consistently reported they were treated in a kind and caring manner by staff. People were supported by staff to express their views and to be involved in decisions about their care. Staff ensured people's privacy and dignity were upheld and independence promoted during the provision of their personal care. People's human rights were respected and supported.

People received personalised care which was responsive to their needs. People were supported to access activities and hobbies if this was required. People's concerns and complaints were encouraged, listened to and relevant action taken in line with the providers policy and procedures. The provider did not support anyone at the end of their life at the time of inspection but staff were trained in this area.

The provider had governance processes in place. People and staff were encouraged to be actively involved in the development and continuous improvement of the service. The provider had quality assurance systems in place. Staff had worked effectively in partnership with other agencies such as GPs, pharmacies, social workers and mental health professionals to promote positive outcomes for people.