Blossomwood

Updated 2 April 2020

The inspection:

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.

Inspection team:

The inspection team consisted of one inspector.

Service and service type:

Blossomwood is a care home. People in care homes received accommodation and nursing or personal care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

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 inspection was unannounced.

What we did when preparing for and carrying out this inspection:

We reviewed information we had received about the service since our last inspection. This included details about incidents the provider must notify us about. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We assessed the information we require providers to send us as least once annually to give some key information about the service what the service does well and any improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection we spoke with the provider/registered manager, deputy manager and three care staff. We also spoke with three people who use the service. Because other people were unable to communicate verbally with us or were not home on the day of inspection, we carried out observation of people, spoke with staff, reviewed records and looked at other information which helped us to assess how their care needs were being met. We observed the care and support provided to people and the interaction between staff and people throughout our inspection.

Updated 2 April 2020

About the service:

Blossomwood is a residential care home, providing personal care and accommodation for up to 12 people who may have a learning disability, autism and or complex/physical health needs. On the day of our inspection 12 people were living at the service accommodated in one building separated into two different living areas.

The service has been developed and re-designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and /or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that was appropriate and inclusive for them.

The service was a large home, bigger than most domestic style properties. It was registered for the support of up to 12 people. Ten people were using the service. This is larger than current best practice guidance. However. the size of the service having a negative impact on people was mitigated by the building design.

People’s experience of using this service:

People were safe living in the service. Risks had been identified and people were looked after safely.

Staff were kind and caring and supported people to be as independent as possible.

People had access to healthcare professionals when required.

Staff knew how to care for people. Staff used their skills and the resources and equipment provided so the risk of accidental harm or infections was reduced. Staff had developed effective skills to meet the complex needs of the people at the service.

People were supported to have their prescribed medicines safely to remain well.

People were supported to eat and drink. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible.

The service had a well-defined management structure. The registered manager had clear oversight of the service and worked alongside staff. Staff were respectful of the register manager and told us they were approachable and supportive.

Audits were in place and people were encouraged to give their feedback about the service. Regular surveys were carried out with a range of people, relatives, staff and professionals. Information was used to make improvements to the service.

Rating at last inspection:

Good date of the last report published was (10th August 2017).

Why we inspected:

This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection.

Follow up:

We will continue to monitor this service in line with our re-inspection schedule for those services rated as Good.