Archived: Bluebell Centre

The Bluebell Centre is a reablement service which provides support to people in their own homes. At the time of our visit 24 people were using the service. The reablement service involves a multi-disciplinary approach involving support workers, social workers and occupational therapists agreeing a programme of intensive support for people with the aim of skilling them or re-skilling them to manage the activities of daily living. It is particularly used for people who need support to help regain skills and confidence after being discharged from hospital. The service is for a short intense period of support based on the individual's needs.

People have told us they felt safe in their homes around staff who helped to keep them safe. Risks to people’s health and wellbeing were documented for staff to refer to. Staff understood how to keep people safe. People told us there were enough staff to support them. Systems were in place to review the backgrounds of potential staff to assure the registered provider of their suitability to work at the service. People were supported with their medicines according to their needs. The registered manager reviewed practices to ensure any learning could be incorporated to improve the service people received.

People’s needs were assessed prior to them receiving care. This was to ensure everything was in place, which included equipment so that people received the care they needed. Staff worked with other health professionals and stakeholders to support people achieve the outcomes they wanted.

Where appropriate staff supported people with their meals and offered choices.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People told us staff were very caring and help to reassure them. People explained that when they first left hospital they felt vulnerable, but with the attention and care of staff they were able to gain their independence and dignity. Staff understood how to support people to promote their individual lifestyle choices. Staff had received equality and human rights training and understood how to promote peoples’ choices.

People’s care was continually reviewed and updated. People told us during their care package their needs quickly changed and that at every step, staff included them in their care planning to achieve goals they identified with the help of staff. Staff used a number of communication methods to communicate with people, depending on the person’s needs. People understood they could complain if they needed to but did not feel they needed to. The service did not provide End of Life Care but staff knew who to contact should they need to in the event of an emergency.

People felt they received a good service and that the service was well run. The registered manager demonstrated how they were working towards an Outstanding rating. Staff felt part of a team that shared the registered manager’s vision for giving people the best care possible. Communication was open and staff felt communication was two way and that at staff meetings, staff were encouraged to share their thoughts. The registered provider understood their obligations and staff understood their was a whistleblowing policy in place. The registered manager had taken part in a review of the service to ensure the service people received was in line with other similar services. Staff also worked with local partners in the community to help promote people’s independence.

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was Good (published 10 May 2017).

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

We visited the offices of the Bluebell Centre on 16 March 2017. We last inspected this service on 10 September 2015 and rated the service as Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

Pre-employment checks were completed for all new staff to check that they were suitable to work with people who used the service. There were enough staff employed to meet people’s needs and to attend each call. People were kept safe by support workers who had received training on how to recognise and report any suspected abuse. Risks related to people’s care were assessed and procedures were put in place to minimise the risks. Procedures were in place to support people safely when they took their medicines.

Support workers received training to support people effectively. The registered manager understood the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and support workers understood the need to gain people’s consent before providing care. Referrals were made to health and social care professionals when needed to make sure people received the support they needed.

People received support from support workers that they described as kind who helped them to achieve their goals to regain their independence. Support workers understood the importance of respecting people’s dignity.

People were involved in planning their care and this was reviewed continually to meet their needs. Support workers had good knowledge of people’s preferences and offered choices. People knew how to raise concerns and felt confident to do so however no complaints had been received by the service in the 12 months prior to our visit.

Support workers received support from the registered manager to deliver high quality care. People were given opportunities to give their feedback about the service and this was analysed to make sure that the service continued to meet people’s needs. The registered manager completed regular quality assurance checks to promote continual improvement within the service.