Bluebird Care (Stockton and Hartlepool)

On this page

• 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 newly registered 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. This included initial assessments of people’s needs prior to care packages commencing as well as reviews of people’s care at agreed intervals or when people’s needs changed. This helped to ensure care plans and assessments were kept current and reflective of people’s needs. A professional told us, “The staff are approachable, always reply to emails in a timely manner and attend reviews when required.”

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 people’s care plans to understand people’s needs and deliver care appropriately. These records were detailed, up to date and person-centred. Staff were also supported by management to ensure effective care delivery. A staff member told us, “Ongoing guidance is provided to help enhance how we deliver care, and managers are proactive in showing and demonstrating tasks in person where needed, which has been very helpful in building my confidence.”

The provider ensured staff had training which was in line with the latest best practice guidance. Leaders conducted competency assessments and spot checks to ensure staff were following best practice.

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.

The provider worked closely with health professionals ensuring they took advice to keep people safe living at home. A professional told us, “[The provider] will often go the extra mile to support the family and to ensure the clients wellbeing is promoted for example supporting family with liaising with GP etc.”

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. Staff worked well with families who were involved in the care of their relatives. A relative told us, “They involve [family] in any discussions about [my relative’s] care and also keep me informed.”

People’s involvement with health care professionals and any recommendations were incorporated into care plans and followed by staff. For example, 1 person’s care plan documented how staff were to observe and report any decline in stamina/balance or confidence. They would then liaise with a GP to request an occupational therapist or physiotherapist referral if deterioration was observed.

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. A member of staff told us, “There is a strong focus on person-centred care, ensuring individuals are supported to live meaningful lives and achieve the best possible outcomes.”

People’s changing needs were regularly reviewed and actions taken to ensure positive outcomes for people. For example, a change of continence products was suggested to a person and their relatives where staff had identified the items currently in use were no longer effective. Management provided samples of an alternative so they could be trialled which resulted in a more positive outcome in terms of the person’s comfort and dignity. A relative told us, “As they are a small agency… [they] get things done. They are proactive and not reactive.”

The provider told people about their rights around consent and respected these when delivering person-centred care and treatment.

We saw reference to consent being obtained within people’s records. Staff had all received training around the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). Where a person lacked capacity to make a decision for themselves, decisions were made in their best interests. This was done in line with the legal framework and documented in great detail. A member of staff told us, “I communicate with service users, listening to what they say so that I can support them safely according to their needs and preferences.”