Bluebird Care (South Tyneside) achieved a Good rating across all five key questions at its first CQC inspection in July 2016, demonstrating strong person-centred care, well-trained and supervised staff, and robust quality assurance systems. Minor concerns were noted around an incomplete safeguarding investigation following a staff resignation and isolated record-keeping gaps, but no regulatory breaches were identified.
Concerns (4)
moderate
Safeguarding
: “It is unclear from the records presented whether the additional concerns had been investigated prior to the staff member's resignation being accepted.”
minorRecord keeping: “We noted the document viewed had not been signed, nor was there a record of the person who had completed the monitoring form or their role.”
minorMedication management: “One person's care plan stated, 'I would like care assistants to support me with my medication.' We noted there was no medicine care and support plan in place.”
minorConsent / capacity: “It was not apparent that they had lasting power of attorney for health and welfare to authorise them to give consent on the persons behalf.”
Strengths
· Comprehensive five-and-a-half day induction programme including Care Certificate, manual handling, safeguarding and infection control training
· Staff received six supervisions per year, annual appraisals and observation supervisions in people's homes
· People consistently praised staff as caring, respectful and reliable with strong continuity of the same care workers
· Detailed, personalised care plans and risk assessments reflecting people's current needs and preferences
· Dedicated specialist palliative care team with trained staff supporting end of life care
Quality-Statement breakdown (13)
safe: Safeguarding systems and incident managementGood
safe: Recruitment practices including DBS checks and referencesGood
safe: Medication management and MAR auditsGood
safe: Risk assessment and mitigationGood
effective: Staff training and induction programmeGood
effective: Supervision and appraisalGood
effective: Mental Capacity Act understanding and applicationGood
caring: Dignity, respect and person-centred approachGood
caring: Equality, diversity and end of life careGood
responsive: Care planning and personalisationGood
responsive: Complaints handlingGood
well-led: Quality assurance and governance systemsGood
well-led: Leadership vision, values and external partnershipsGood
Bluebird Care (South Tyneside) achieved an Outstanding overall rating, improving from Good at its previous inspection, with Responsive and Well-Led rated Outstanding and Safe, Effective, and Caring rated Good. The service demonstrated exceptional person-centred care, innovative staff development, strong community partnerships, and outstanding end of life care with no identified failures or regulatory concerns.
Strengths
· People and relatives described care as exceptional, 'second to none' and 'phenomenal', with staff going above and beyond to meet needs with dignity and respect.
· Consistent and reliable staff team with no missed or late visits; people received care from the same carers.