Bluebird Care Wakefield and Kirklees

Updated 14 July 2021

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

This inspection was carried out by two inspectors, and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

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 did not have a registered manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means the provider was legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider or manager would be in the office to support the inspection.

Inspection activity started on 8 June 2021 and ended on 14 June 2021. We visited the office location on 9 June 2021.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since they registered. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections.

We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with three people who used the service and three relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with eight members of staff including the provider, operations manager and six care workers.

We reviewed a range of records. This included four people’s care records and medication records. We looked at four staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We spoke with two professionals who regularly visit the service.

Updated 14 July 2021

About the service

Bluebird Care is an agency which provides personal care to people living in their own homes in Wakefield and Kirklees. At the time of inspection, the agency was providing care to 42 people.

Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do, we also consider any wider social care provided.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People were protected from abuse. Staff knew how to recognise and report abuse. People and relatives told us they received safe care. People received support from a regular staff team and staff were recruited safely. Staff were trained to administer medicines safely. Competency checks had been completed to ensure staff were following safe medicine practices. Staff had received training in infection control and demonstrated an understanding of what personal protective equipment (PPE) should be used when supporting people. People told us staff wore PPE whilst spending time in their homes.

There were enough staff available to meet people's needs. Staff received regular supervision and on-going training which promoted people's health, safety and welfare. Staff were focussed on the wellbeing of the people they supported. People were complimentary about the kind, caring attitude of staff. People's dignity and privacy was respected, and their independence promoted.

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.

The service was very responsive to people's individual needs which had a positive impact on their wellbeing. Support was flexible and personalised, adjusting to people's changing needs. People were actively encouraged to be involved in the development and on-going review of their care. Staff were fully committed to improving the lives of people and worked with them to achieve their goals and aspirations.

The provider had systems and processes in place to regularly monitor the safety and quality of the service.

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 25/10/2019 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the length of time the service was registered and when they commenced providing a regulated activity.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our reinspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.