Bluebird Care (Thurrock & Castle Point)

On this page

• Overview
• Learning culture
• Safe systems, pathways and transitions
• Safeguarding
• Involving people to manage risks
• Safe environments
• Safe and effective staffing
• Infection prevention and control
• Medicines optimisation

We did not look at all quality statements for Safe at this assessment. The service was safe. This rating uses some scores from the previous inspection. The service followed robust recruitment procedures and enough staff were employed. Care staff completed appropriate training and their competency was regularly checked. People had care plans and risk assessment in place.

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.

We did not look at Learning culture during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

We did not look at Safe systems, pathways and transitions during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

People told us they felt safe and knew how to raise a complaint. One person said, “I definitely feel listened to.” A family member said, “We are very satisfied and if there is a problem or concern it is communicated directly to me.” Another family member also told us, “Staff rarely miss a visit, and I am advised what to do if this happens by the supervisor. Bluebird Care give me peace of mind.”

Staff had a good understanding of safeguarding. One staff member said, “We follow the regulations, follow the care plans and risk assessments. We wear our personal protective equipment (PPE) and have spot checks carried out to monitor our performance. We check equipment is safe before we use it.” Another staff member said, “We follow people’s preferences for gender of staff they prefer and we do our best to make people feel comfortable.”

Processes were in place and effective to ensure people were protected from harm and abuse. The registered manager shared concerns with the local authority and CQC in line with their requirements of registration. The registered manager had good auditing systems in place to monitor concerns accidents and incidents.

Staff told us they involved people in risk assessments. One staff member said, “We involve people in understanding why we carry out risk assessments during the initial assessment of their needs. For example, we ask people to complete physical tasks so we can assess their ability and understand the amount of support they need.” Another person said, “We ask for consent, we explain the risks of the decisions people make. We can't tell them what to do but we explain risk. It is important to communicate with the customer.”

People’s care plans were detailed and incorporated risk assessments. People had a wide range of risk assessments in place that included, medicines management, environmental risks and manual handling and fire.

We did not look at Safe environments during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

A family member said, “Carers keep me updated on visits and my [relative] is very happy with them.” One person said, “I’ve had operations therefore Bluebird Care have been adapting to my needs. They are in my opinion exceptional. In all the years, only one person hasn’t been up to standard. Most of the staff have been presentable, very caring, eloquent in how they speak, I couldn’t fault them. They are ambitious, very articulate, career driven and have goals one can admire. Staff are very thorough in what they do, comprehensive in the tasks, and honestly next level.”

The registered manager told us they spot checked staff working in people’s homes to monitor performance. The registered manager said, “Staff are passionate in their roles.” Staff told us they felt supported in their roles and one staff member said, “I have really grown and developed working here, I am definitely supported.” Another staff member said, “I think to be a good carer you need to love your job and really care which I do. It is a very rewarding job because I am making a difference every day.”

Staff training was reviewed to ensure staff had the knowledge and skills to meet people's needs. Staff were mostly up to date with training. Staff were recruited following a robust recruitment process and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. DBS provide information including details about convictions and cautions held on the Police National Computer. The information helps employers make safer recruitment decisions.

We did not look at Infection prevention and control during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

We did not look at Medicines optimisation during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.