Blossoms

Updated 20 December 2019

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

The inspection was conducted by one inspector.

Service and service type

Blossoms is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.

During the inspection

We spoke with one person who used the service and spent time with others who weren’t able to communicate with us verbally. We spoke with two relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with four members of staff including the registered manager and support workers.

We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures, were reviewed.

After the inspection

We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service.

Updated 20 December 2019

About the service

Blossoms is a residential care home providing personal care to adults with learning disabilities and autism. The service is registered to provide care for up to six people in one adapted building. There were six people living at the home at the time of inspection.

The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.

The service was a large domestic property. There were deliberately no identifying signs, intercom, cameras, industrial bins or anything else outside to indicate it was a care home.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People received warm, competent care and support and relatives spoke positively about staff and management. Relatives told us people were safe and they were protected by staff who understood their responsibilities and how to keep people safe. People were protected from risks by very detailed, regularly updated risk assessments.

People had comprehensive care plans which detailed their strengths and promoted their dignity and independence. Their communication needs were assessed and recorded in detail and staff were observed appropriately interacting with people.

Appropriate recruitment checks took place before staff started work and there were enough staff available to meet people's needs. Staff received comprehensive training to enable them to carry out their roles effectively. Staff were happy working for the service and felt supported by the registered manager and colleagues. Staff success was recognised and celebrated.

There were enough staff to meet people's needs. Staff were well trained and understood the needs of the people they supported. We observed that there was a relaxed atmosphere and people and staff had good, caring relationships.

The home was well equipped, clean and tidy and good infection control practices were being followed. People's rooms were well-personalised.

People took part in activities they enjoyed and were encouraged to access the community. Visitors were welcomed. The home had good relationships with health and social care professionals. People had a healthy, varied diet and ate food they enjoyed.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence. The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

People and relatives were happy with the care and support they received and spoke positively about staff and the registered manager. People's care and support needs were met by staff who knew them well and enjoyed working with them.

People and their relatives were involved in the planning and delivery of their care, and regularly asked for feedback which was acted upon when appropriate. Staff were encouraged to be actively involved in service development.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was Good (published 3 May 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.