Bluebird Care (Tamworth and Lichfield) received an overall Good rating across all five key questions in its first CQC inspection, demonstrating safe, personalised and well-managed care for 34 people in their own homes. Minor gaps in risk management plan detail, medicines guidance and staff training were identified but addressed promptly by the registered manager during the inspection visit.
Concerns (4)
minor
Care planning
: “some risk management plans lacked detail. For example, some people had an identified risk of developing sore skin and their care plan told staff to 'check skin' but gave no more information.”
minorMedication management: “staff did not have clear guidance on how skin sites should be rotated to allow sufficient 'rest time'. Immediate action was taken during our visit to provide clear instructions for staff to follow.”
minorCommunication with families: “People's care plans contained limited information about their communication abilities, and we discussed this with the registered manager.”
minorStaff training: “Some staff felt more in-depth training would help them develop their skills further in areas such as deprivation of liberty, diabetes, dementia awareness and skin care.”
Strengths
· People felt safe and staff demonstrated thorough knowledge of safeguarding procedures and reporting responsibilities.
· No missed care calls due to an effective call monitoring system that triggered alerts for late visits.
· People experienced consistency in their care staff, supporting familiarity and personalised support delivery.
· Care plans were personalised, reflecting individual preferences, hobbies and communication needs.
· Staff were described as kind, caring and respectful, promoting dignity, independence and privacy.
Quality-Statement breakdown (23)
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseGood
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and managementGood
safe: Staffing and recruitmentGood
safe: Using medicines safelyGood
safe: Preventing and controlling infectionGood
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: Ensuring consent to care and treatment in line with law and guidanceGood
caring: Ensuring people are well treated and supported; equality and diversityGood
caring: Supporting people to express their views and be involved in making decisions about their careGood
caring: Respecting and promoting people's privacy, dignity and independenceGood
responsive: Planning personalised care to ensure people have choice and control and to meet their needs and preferencesGood
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: Promoting a positive culture that is person-centred, open, inclusive and empoweringGood
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