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Archived: Bluebird Care (Brighton & Hove)

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

175 Westbourne Street, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 5FB (01273) 208192

Provided and run by:
Albion Angels Ltd

Important: The provider of this service changed. See new profile
Important: This service was previously registered at a different address - see old profile

All Inspections

8 May 2017

During a routine inspection

Bluebird Care (Brighton & Hove) is a domiciliary care service providing personal care for a range of people living in their own homes. The majority of people receiving a service were older people and some were living with dementia. At the time of our visit around 46 people were receiving a service.

At the last inspection on 18 February 2015, the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained overall Good.

Systems had been maintained to keep people safe. People and their relatives told us they felt people were safe with the care provided. They knew who they could talk with if they had any worries. They felt they could raise concerns and they would be listened to. Assessments of risks to people had been developed. Robust recruitment practices continued to be followed to ensure enough staff had been recruited to meet people’s care and support needs. Staff told us they had continued to receive supervision, and be supported to develop their skills and knowledge by receiving training which helped them to carry out their roles and responsibilities effectively. People told us care staff had the knowledge and skills to provide their care and support. One person told us, “The ones I have seen are.” Another person told us, “They seem to be very good.”

People's individual care and support needs had been identified before they received a service. Care and support provided was personalised and based on the identified needs of each person. People told us they felt listened to and they were involved in decisions about their care. Detailed care and support plans were in place and had been reviewed. One person told us, “The care plan review was attended by the social worker and nurse.” Another person told us, “We were asked carefully of our likes and dislikes.” Where people were unable to make decisions for themselves this had been considered under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, and appropriate actions continued to be followed to arrange meetings to make a decision within their best interests. Staff had a good understanding of consent.

People were happy with care provided. Comments received included, “Very satisfied,” “Certainly” and “More than satisfied. I cannot fault them in anyway.” People were supported by kind and caring staff who treated them with respect and dignity. They were spoken with and supported in a sensitive, respectful and professional manner. One person told us staff were, “Incredibly good and all are aware of my needs.”

If needed, people were supported with their food and drink and this was monitored regularly. People continued to be supported to maintain good health. One person told us, “On the odd occasions when I am not well they will come round and get in touch with the office.”

People, their relatives and staff told us the service was well led. Staff told us the manager was always approachable and had an open door policy if they required some advice or needed to discuss something. Senior staff carried out a range of internal audits, and records confirmed this. People and their relatives were regularly consulted about the care provided using quality assurance questionnaires.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

18 February 2015

During a routine inspection

This inspection took place on 18 February 2015 and was announced. We last visited the service on 27 June 2013 and we found the service met the regulations we inspected.

Bluebird Care (Brighton and Hove) is a domiciliary care agency and provides personal care and support for people living in their own home in the Brighton and Hove area. Care was provided to adults but predominantly older people, including people with a physical disability or learning disability, people with a sensory loss and people with mental health problems or living with dementia. At the time of our inspection around 40 people were receiving a service.

The last registered manager had sent in an application to the CQC to deregister to take on a new position in the agency. A new manager had been recruited and was able to show us that she had made an application to the CQC to take over the registered manager role. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

There were systems in place to keep people safe. The people we spoke with said they usually got their visit from regular staff, and that staff arrived on time. They said they were happy with their care staff who undertook their care call.

Detailed assessments of risks to people had been completed and reviewed. The service employed enough, qualified and well trained staff, and ensured people’s safety through appropriate recruitment practices.

There were safe procedures in place to help people take their medicines.

People told us they were involved in the planning and review of their care. Where people were unable to do this, the manager told us they would liaise with health and social care professionals to consider the person’s capacity under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Care staff received an induction, basic training and additional specialist training in areas such as caring for people living with dementia. Care staff had supervision in one to one meetings and staff meetings, in order for them to discuss their role and share any information or concerns.

If needed, people were supported with their food and drink.

The needs and choices of people had been clearly documented in their care plans. Where people’s needs changed people’s care and support plans were reviewed to ensure the person received the care and treatment they required.

People and their relatives told us they were supported by kind and caring staff. Care staff were able to tell us about the people they supported, for example their likes and dislikes and their interests. People told us they always got their care visit, that they were happy with the care and the care staff that supported them. One person told us, “I’m happy with the way they look after me.” Care staff encouraged people to be involved in their care.

People were consulted with about the care provided. They knew how to raise concerns or complaints.

The manager, along with senior staff provided good leadership and support to the care staff. They were involved in day to day monitoring of the standards of care and support that were provided to people using the service.