Blueberry Hill Care Limited

Updated 5 April 2018

'We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service,and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.'

This inspection activity commenced on 21 February 2018 and was announced. We provided 48 hours- notice of the inspection because the location provides a domiciliary care service and we needed to be sure staff would be available to assist us with the inspection activity. One inspector undertook the inspection.

We asked the provider to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) as part of this inspection process. We received this on 12 January 2018. This is information from the provider about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We also checked other information we held about the service and the provider including stator notifications that the provider is required to submit to inform us about important events that happen at the service.

We spoke with two people who used the service and one relative to obtain their views on the service provided. We received feedback from two professionals who knew the service. We received feedback from five members of care staff. We spoke with the registered manager, a consultant and senior care worker.

We reviewed three staff recruitment files and training records. We looked at the care records for two people who used the service. We also looked at management records of the service, including quality audits, and information relating to community activities and events.

Updated 5 April 2018

This was the first comprehensive inspection of this service since the service was registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) on the 6 February 2017. We inspected the office location on 21 February 2018. On the 27 February and 2 March 2018 we obtained feedback from people who used the service, their relatives and staff to obtain their views.

Blueberry Hill care Ltd is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal and live in care to people living in their own homes in the community. At the time of our inspection 12 people were being supported by the service. However only four people were being supported with the regulated activity of personal care.

The service had a registered manager who was also the provider. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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.

People felt safe using the service. Staff demonstrated they had a good understanding of potential abuse and were able to elevate any concerns when required. The provider had safe recruitment practices in place, and there were sufficient numbers of staff available to meet people’s needs at their preferred times. Staff helped and supported people to take their medicines safely and staff received training in safe administration of medicines.

Staff received training and support to enable them to carry out their roles effectively and safely.

Staff sought people's consent to care. The manager and staff were aware of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and depravation of liberty safeguards (DoLs). People were assisted to eat and drink sufficient amounts to keep healthy and were supported to access healthcare professionals when required.

People and their relatives told us they were very happy with the staff that provided their care. Staff took time to get to know peoples individual needs and preferences. People were involved in making decisions about their care and how it was provided. People felt staff treated them with dignity and respect and their privacy was maintained.

People and their relatives told us they had been involved in developing their care plans and felt that the manager and staff listened to them. The service was flexible and responsive to people’s needs when they changed. There was a process in place for investigating concerns and recording compliments.

The registered manager had organised social events within the local community centre and people were supported to attend a range of social activities including dancing, speed dating and luncheon clubs.

The manager demonstrated a good knowledge of all the people who used the service the staff they employed. Staff had clear roles and responsibilities, which they understood.

The registered manager had a range of quality assurance systems in place to monitor the service and make continual improvements.