Bluestar Care & Support LTD

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• Overview
• Assessing needs
• Delivering evidence-based care and treatment
• How staff, teams and services work together
• Supporting people to live healthier lives
• Monitoring and improving outcomes
• Consent to care and treatment

Effective – this means we looked for evidence that people’s care, treatment and support achieved good outcomes and promoted a good quality of life, based on best available evidence. This is the first assessment for this service. This key question has been rated good. This meant people’s outcomes were consistently good, and people’s feedback confirmed this.

This service scored 75 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

The provider made sure people’s care and treatment was effective by assessing and reviewing their health, care, wellbeing and communication needs with them. People’s needs were assessed before care started and reviewed when required. Assessments involved people, their relatives and relevant professionals. Initial assessments were detailed and reflected preferences and routines. A relative told us, “They went through a questionnaire with me and [another family member], they came to see [person] too, so they knew the right staff to be suitable and ask if [person] minded male or female staff.” Staff confirmed assessments gave them confidence to deliver safe care. A staff member said, “Before starting with any new client my manager will give me a full handover. I will receive support plans, risk assessments, and verbal briefings from the office, detailing health conditions, routines and preferences.”

The provider planned and delivered people’s care and treatment with them, including what was important and mattered to them. They did this in line with legislation and current evidence-based good practice and standards. Staff had access to nationally recognised tools such as the Waterlow tool, which is an assessment tool to determine whether a person is at risk of pressure damage and malnutrition universal screening tool (MUST). Best practice guidance was embedded in training, including Oliver McGowan learning to support people with a learning disability and autism.

The provider worked well across teams and services to support people. They made sure people only needed to tell their story once by sharing their assessment of needs when people moved between different services. Records showed regular communication with relatives and professionals. Staff told us they felt supported and could raise concerns about people so the management team could inform relevant professionals. A staff member said, “I can always call the office if I need advice, and they respond straight away.” A social care professional confirmed staff followed advice promptly and told us, “Bluestar are very welcoming to the advice of professionals and are quick to adapt and introduce changes to their care strategy, often with immediate effect.”

The provider supported people to manage their health and wellbeing to maximise their independence, choice and control. Staff supported people to live healthier lives and where possible, reduce their future needs for care and support. Measures were put in place to prevent the deterioration of skin integrity and staff received training on how to minimise the risk and recognise signs of skin damage.

The provider routinely monitored people’s care and treatment to continuously improve it. They ensured that outcomes were positive and consistent, and that they met both clinical expectations and the expectations of people themselves. Staff monitored health needs and knew when and how to highlight concerns, including pressure area risks. Support plans included guidance in reducing risk of pressure damage, for example, to encourage a healthy diet and to encourage repositioning.

The provider told people about their rights around consent and respected these when delivering person-centred care and treatment. Consent was consistently sought and recorded. Mental Capacity Assessments and Best Interest decisions were completed when needed, and consent forms were signed by legal representatives before care started. Staff described how they sought day to day consent through verbal and non-verbal cues. A staff member told us, “I always ask before I do anything, and if the person can’t speak, I look for facial expressions or gestures.” A relative said, “They always ask me first and make sure [person] is happy with what’s happening.”