The Care Quality Commission
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Archived: Bluebird Care Weymouth & Portland

Suite 2&3 Lynch Lane Offices, 79 Lynch Lane, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 9DW (01305) 230770

Provided and run by:
Factor of Four Ltd

Important: This service is now registered at a different address - see new profile
Important: This service is now registered at a different address - see new profile

All Inspections

25 February 2014

During a routine inspection

There had been a complete turnover of senior staff in the office and the care coordinators and supervisors had been in their roles for one or two months. The registered manager had been in post for approximately six months. The previous recruitment and training manager had left in late 2013. One of the directors told us there had been some discontent. Despite this we found that staff were working hard to ensure that people using the service had good outcomes and continuity of care.

We spoke with two people using the service who told us 'They look after me really well' and 'I have a really good service from them.' A relative told us 'They are excellent', while another said 'I am quite happy but they don't contact me routinely. I have to ring them.'

We spoke with the registered manager, the two directors, two care coordinators, two supervisors, and three carers. One carer said 'staff try hard to get it right.' Another said I get good support from the manager.'

We looked at care plans for six people with varying support needs. We found that the planning and delivery of care promoted people's choices, dignity and independence, and was flexible to meet their needs.

There were sufficient carers to meet people's needs, although senior staff felt that carer availability presented challenges.

Carers received an induction and training to make sure they were competent.

Systems were in place to enable the provider to monitor the quality of care.

9 July 2012

During a routine inspection

We spoke with three people who received a service from Bluebird Care Weymouth and with a close relative of another person who was receiving a service. All the people we spoke with told us the care workers and management were respectful of their privacy and dignity. One person said 'They always knock when they arrive and are not intrusive in any way'. The relative we spoke with said 'They are all bright and cheerful, always polite, well turned out'.

People told us the service helped them to remain as independent as possible. A relative we spoke with said the service enhanced the care they provided within their family. People appreciated the fact that they received visits mostly from a consistent care worker who was familiar with their needs and preferred routines. Comments about staff included: 'The people who come out, they know what they are doing'; 'Staff are useful, very good'; 'I've got the best carer in the world'.

Two people felt very involved in how their care plans were set up and they said they saw care workers using the care plans. The other two people we spoke with were unaware of their care plans, although they told us the care workers undertook the tasks that needed to be done. One of them said they received 'excellent care by people who have shown how to treat people with kindness and efficiency'.

We heard from people about care workers being alert to medical issues arising. These were reported to the management, who were efficient at referring people to appropriate health or social services.

All the people we spoke with considered the service was provided in a safe way. One person received some assistance with shopping. They said the provider's rules about staff handling money were clear and staff kept to them.

People told us they had good information about how to contact the service, and they obtained a good response if they did so. People told us the care workers arrived on time, or if they did not, they were advised of delay and the care workers always stayed for the planned amount of time. People said lateness was very unusual.