Background to this inspection
Updated
28 November 2019
The inspection
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
Inspection team
The inspection team consisted of one inspector.
Service and service type
This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats.
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. The registered manager was also the owner of the business.
Notice of inspection
We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection. Inspection activity started on 12 November 2019 and ended on 13 November 2019. We visited the office location on 12 November 2019.
What we did before the inspection
The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.
During the inspection
We spoke with three people and four relatives about their experience of the care provided by the service. We also spoke with three members of care staff, the registered manager and nominated individual.
We reviewed a range of records. This included four people’s care records and three medication records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment, training and supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were also reviewed.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. This included quality assurance information and policies and procedures. We also reviewed feedback received from two health and social care professionals.
Updated
28 November 2019
About the service
Bluebell Homecare Limited is a domiciliary care agency providing care and support to people in their own homes. At the time of the inspection, personal care was provided to 32 people.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People and their relatives felt safe. Staff had received safeguarding adults from abuse training and knew how to act on any concerns. Risk assessments were in place to manage potential risks to people. Safe recruitment systems were in place to ensure suitable staff were employed. People’s medicines were managed safely. There were effective infection control processes in place.
People were cared for and supported by staff who had received the appropriate training, support and supervision to fulfil their roles and responsibilities. Where appropriate people were supported with their nutritional needs. The service worked well with health and social care professionals to ensure people’s health and welfare needs were effectively met.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
Staff placed people at the heart of the service and were committed to delivering high quality, person centred care and support. Without exception people and relatives told us they thought of their carers as being like family members. They told us they were compassionate, caring and flexible. One person said, “Kindness and empathy are a really important thing for carers and these carers have it.” Staff treated people with dignity and respect and people's independence was promoted and encouraged by staff.
A holistic approach was taken to assessing, planning and delivering care and support. People received a person-centred service which was responsive to their needs.
People, relatives and staff spoke positively about the management at the service for their commitment and passion for care. They considered the service to be well led and managed and, without exception, told us they would recommend the service to others.
There were a variety of checks in place to monitor the quality of the service and drive improvements.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk.
Rating at last inspection
This service was registered with us on 07/12/2018 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection of this service on 12 November 2019.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.