Blue Ocean Services, a domiciliary care agency serving 19 people in Catford, achieved a Good rating across all five key questions, representing an improvement from Requires Improvement in Safe and Well-led at the previous 2019 inspection. The service demonstrated robust recruitment, medicines management, staff training and supervision practices, with people and relatives reporting positive experiences of safe, dignified and person-centred care.
Concerns (3)
minor
Person-centred care
: “Some [care workers] seem caring but not all of them from what he says to me. He has no complaints...Another relative said, 'He does say that most of them are nice but some are more caring than others.'”
minorCare planning: “People did not always have knowledge of the whereabouts of their care plans. One relative said, 'As far as I know he has a care plan in his room somewhere.'”
minorEnd-of-life care: “The registered manager said end of life training for staff would be arranged if there was a need.”
Strengths
· Safe recruitment procedures including full employment history, qualifications, references and DBS checks were followed consistently.
· Medicines administration records were fully completed and audited; staff competency in medicines management was routinely checked via spot checks and supervisions.
· Staff completed a structured induction including the Care Certificate and a shadowing period with experienced workers before delivering care independently.
· Regular supervisions, appraisals and unannounced spot checks supported staff performance and wellbeing.
· People were supported to maintain independence and dignity; staff respected cultural and religious beliefs.
Quality-Statement breakdown (24)
safe: Staffing and recruitmentGood
safe: Using medicines safelyGood
safe: Preventing and controlling infectionGood
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseGood
safe: Assessing risk, safely monitoring and managementGood
safe: Learning lessons when things go wrongGood
effective: Assessing people's needs and choices; delivering care in line with standards, guidance and the lawGood
effective: Staff support: Induction, training, skills and experienceGood
effective: Supporting people to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced dietGood
effective: Staff working with other agencies to provide consistent, effective, timely careGood
effective: Ensuring consent to care and treatment in line with law and guidanceGood
caring: Ensuring people are well treated and supported; respecting equality and diversityGood
caring: Supporting people to express their views and be involved in decisions about their careGood
caring: Respecting and promoting people's privacy, dignity and independenceGood
responsive: Planning personalised care to meet people's needs, preferences, interests and give them choice and controlGood
responsive: Meeting people's communication needsGood
responsive: Supporting people to develop and maintain relationships to avoid social isolationGood
responsive: Improving care quality in response to complaints or concernsGood
responsive: End of life care and supportGood
well-led: How the provider understands and acts on the duty of candourGood
well-led: Managers and staff being clear about their roles, and understanding quality performance, risks and regulatory requirementsGood
well-led: Engaging and involving people using the service, the public and staffGood
well-led: Continuous learning and improving careGood