09/10/2015
During a routine inspection
Bluebird Care (Milton Keynes) provides care and support for adults in their own homes and within the local community. On the day of our visit the service provided support for approximately 70 in their own homes.
This inspection was announced and took place on 09 October 2015.
The service had a registered manager. 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.
Since the inspection the provider has informed us that the address above is incorrect, following a recent move of suites, within the same business centre. The service has moved to Suite 1, Interchange Business centre, as opposed to Suite 107. The provider was in the process of ensuring the service registration reflects the correct address.
Staff did not always help people who may lack mental capacity to make decisions, as laid out in the Mental capacity Act 2005. As such, any decisions made may not always have been in people’s best interests.
Staff received the training and support they needed to be able to perform their roles. Staff training was not always up-to-date, but the provider had systems in place to address this.
Staff had developed a strong understanding of people’s needs and wishes, through their relationships with them, however these were not always reflected in people’s records. Care plans and daily records were not always personalised or specific and demonstrated a task-led, rather than a person-centred approach.
People were protected from harm or abuse by staff who knew about, and understood, the principles of safeguarding. Staff were aware of their responsibility to report and record any suspected abuse.
Risks to people and the service had been assessed and appropriate control measures put in place.
There were enough members of staff to meet people’s assessed needs. Staff had been robustly recruited to ensure they were safe and suitable to perform their roles.
Where people required support with medication, this was done so by trained staff who followed well established procedures.
Where necessary, staff supported people to prepare their own meals and drinks, whilst working to maintain their own levels of independence.
Staff also supported people to book and attend appointments with healthcare professionals, such as GPs or dentists, when required.
People were treated with kindness and compassion by staff. They had worked to develop strong relationships with people.
People were involved in the planning and review of their care.
The dignity and respect of people was promoted and upheld by members of staff.
Feedback was welcomed by the service and used to drive improvements.
The service had an open culture. Staff were positive and motivated about their roles and the people they supported.
The registered manager and provider were visible and well known to people and staff.
There were systems in place to review care regularly and identify areas for improvement. Audit systems were also being improved to help with this process.