Blundellsands Classic Management Limited

Updated 8 March 2019

The inspection:

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.

The inspection team consisted of one adult social care inspector.

Service and service type:

This service provides care and support to older people living within a supportive housing community. Retirement security housing is purpose-built accommodation in a shared site or building. The accommodation is bought, and is the occupant’s own home. People’s care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for extra care housing; this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support service.

Not everyone using the Blundellsands Classic receives regulated activity; CQC only inspects the service being received by people provided with ‘personal care’; help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also take into account any wider social care provided.

There was an office on site for the registered manager and duty manager. Duty managers were available on site 24 hours a day for emergencies.

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:

The service was given 48 hours' notice because the location provides a domiciliary care service to people. We needed to be sure that the registered manager would be available.

What we did:

Prior to the inspection we reviewed the information we held in relation to the Blundellsands Classic. This included the statutory notifications sent to us by the registered provider about incidents and events that had occurred at the service. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send to us by law. We also contacted the local authority to get their opinions of the service. We also considered any information received from the public and professionals. We used this information to plan our inspection.

Providers are required to send us key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. The provider was not asked to complete the required Provider Information Return for this inspection.

During the inspection we spoke with the registered manager, one member of the care staff, four people who lived at the Blundellsands Classic, and a visiting relative.

We looked at two people's care files, two staff recruitment files, medicine administration processes, incident records and other records relevant to the quality monitoring of the service.

Updated 8 March 2019

About the service:

The Blundellsands Classic provides personal care and support to people in their own homes. People who used the service lived on site in their own private apartments or bungalows within the grounds. There are communal areas for the use of people who live independently within the grounds. The service provides 24-hour staffing for emergency support. At the time of the inspection the service was supporting four people.

People's experience of using this service:

People told us that they felt safe with the support they received from the staff. Care records provided detailed information around people's individual risks in order for staff to keep them safe from avoidable harm. Person centred care was delivered, giving people choice over the time they received support for their daily routines in line with their preferences.

Staffing levels were appropriately managed and people received care and support from regular staff. Enough staff were employed each day to meet people's needs. People and their relatives told us that care and support was provided in a safe manner.

Recruitment processes were robust. The necessary pre-employment checks were completed and people received care from staff who were suitable to work in adult social care environments.

Staff received regular training, supervision and appraisals to ensure they had the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively support people.

Processes and systems were in place to ensure people received their medicines from trained and competent staff.

People's overall health and well-being was effectively assessed and managed. Referrals were made to external healthcare professionals accordingly.

People were supported with meals, drinks and snacks, as required.

People were supported in a kind, caring and compassionate manner. Staff were familiar with people's support needs. People's privacy and dignity was respected when care was provided to them.

The registered provider had a complaints policy in place. People and relatives knew how to make a complaint if they needed to. However, no-one had made a complaint for some time. We received positive feedback about the quality of care and support people received.

More information is in Detailed Findings below

Rating at last inspection:

Good (Report published 13 October 2016)

Why we inspected:

This was a planned comprehensive inspection to check that this service remained Good. It is the Care Quality Commissions (CQC) methodology to re-inspect 'Good' providers within a 30-month timescale.

Follow up:

No concerns were raised within this inspection. We will therefore aim to re-inspect this service within 30 months. We will continue to monitor the service through the information we receive. If any concerning information is received we may inspect sooner.