Blackburn (Florence House)

Ratings

• Overall

  Good

• Safe

  Good

• Effective

  Good

• Caring

  Good

• Responsive

  Good

• Well-led

  Good

Our view of the service

Blackburn (Florence House) is registered for 13 people. There was 9 people during the assessment from 1 May to 28 May 2024. We reviewed elements of safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led. One inspector, 1 medicines inspector and 1 Expert-by-Experience supported the assessment. We spoke with 7 staff and reviewed records. Incidents and accidents had been investigated and lessons learnt. Polices and guidance were in place. Safeguarding investigations were ongoing, incidents had reduced. Staff were engaged and involved. Professionals confirmed the actions taken for safeguarding concerns. Some professionals said improvements were noted. Medicines were generally managed safely. Team meetings were ongoing. Admission assessments had been completed. Care plans reflected changes in people’s needs and the involvement of professionals. Hospital passports were in place. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right support, right care, right culture is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it. Risks assessments and safety checks had been completed. Staff understood people’s needs. People were treated with kindness, their choice and needs supported. Most people were happy with the care. Audits and monitoring was ongoing. Feedback was mostly positive about the management. The registered manager discussed the action they had taken to address a concern during our observations. Activities were ongoing. Staff were recruited safely, supervision was ongoing. Relevant training was undertaken.

People's experience of this service

We spoke to 4 people and 4 relatives about their experiences of the care people received at Blackburn (Florence House). Most people and relatives told us they were safe in the service. Comments received included, “Yes, I feel [relative] is safe there and they do a good job keeping them as safe as they can.” Where a safeguarding concern had been raised the management team discussed the actions taken to investigate and act on concerns. No concerns were raised about the staffing levels or skills in the service. We asked if people and their relatives had been involved in assessments or care plan reviews, only 1 relative confirmed they were approached for their input. People told us they had choices of meals and liked the food. We observed people being included in decisions and staff were seen supporting people positively. We received mixed feedback about the actions taken to ensure people were reviewed by professionals as needed. One person discussed the action a professional had taken to address a change in their family member which had not been acted upon by the management. Staff were observed seeking consent from people before undertaking any activity. Most people were happy with their care. One said, “I am happy with the care.” The registered manager confirmed they would consider obtaining feedback from people and relatives to ensure any concerns were acted upon.