Blakewater Homecare Services Ltd

On this page

• Overview
• Assessing needs
• Delivering evidence-based care and treatment
• How staff, teams and services work together
• Supporting people to live healthier lives
• Monitoring and improving outcomes
• Consent to care and treatment

Effective – this means we looked for evidence that people’s care, treatment and support achieved good outcomes and promoted a good quality of life, based on best available evidence. This was the first assessment of this service. This key question has been rated good. This meant people’s outcomes were consistently good, and people’s feedback confirmed this.

This service scored 75 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

The provider made sure people’s care and treatment was effective by assessing and reviewing their health, care, wellbeing and communication needs with them. The management team completed an initial visit to people prior to care commencing. This was to obtain vital information about them and their care needs and also to find out how best to communicate with them. Care records were then devised and reflected what was important to people. We saw evidence of regular and meaningful reviews and care plans were updated when people’s needs changed. One staff member said, “We have care plans and risk assessments, and we read them each shift as things could change, but [name of manager] is good at ensuring we are aware of updates too.” People described being involved in a detailed assessment and were included in reviews about their care and support. One relative said, “They [staff] first started [the service] a year or so ago, they got to know [family member’s] needs well. They [staff] all do seem to understand them. I was involved [in the assessment], and the care plan. You can always discuss things, and I feel involved. I’ve no concerns with any of the contents. Nothing has really needed to change. I can access the App and see what they [staff] have done on a daily basis.”

The provider planned and delivered people’s care and treatment with them, including what was important and mattered to them. They did this in line with legislation and current evidence-based good practice and standards. The provider evidenced they worked effectively with other professionals such as occupational therapists and mental health teams.

The provider worked well across teams and services to support people. They made sure people only needed to tell their story once by sharing their assessment of needs when people moved between different services. Care documentation was clear, informative and reviewed frequently. Staff and professionals working alongside the service worked together to meet people’s needs, sharing information so people’s outcomes could be met. Staff felt confident to raise any concerns or changes about people’s care with the management team and felt they were always listened to and acted upon.

The provider supported people to manage their health and wellbeing to maximise their independence, choice and control. Staff supported people to live healthier lives and where possible, reduce their future needs for care and support. The Providers Information Return (PIR) stated, “We love to build new connections, network, and embrace partnership working. To have an effective partnership communication is the key, it is imperative that conversations are open and honest, and do not discount. Partnerships put the service users’ needs at heart, and as a result their health wellbeing and autonomy can be boosted.” During our assessment we found clear and appropriate engagement with other professionals took place. Professionals working alongside the service were complimentary about the support people received. One professional said, “It is a pleasure to work collaboratively with Blakewater on a complex case that requires support from both carers and community mental health team. We have requested assistance from Blakewater for a service user who requires support for both mental and physical health. Blakewater have adapted a professional and empathetic approach throughout their interactions.”

The provider routinely monitored people’s care and treatment to continuously improve it. They ensured that outcomes were positive and consistent, and that they met both clinical expectations and the expectations of people themselves. People and their relatives were fully involved in decisions about their care and support. Prior to receiving support from Blakewater Homecare, one person had not felt able to access the community. Now with support from the service, they have a regular weekly visit into the community. This had a positive effect on the person’s well-being.

The provider told people about their rights around consent and respected these when delivering person-centred care and treatment. The service involved people and relevant others in their care plans to ensure they were supported in a safe way. The management team and staff were knowledgeable about the Mental Capacity Act and worked in line with guidelines. Systems were in place to ensure decisions were made in people’s best interests if they lacked capacity. People and relatives said staff always sought consent and offered choices. One relative said, “They [staff] always explain everything, they’re reassuring, and they make sure [family member] is happy with what they’re doing or going to do.”