Blossom Home Care Malton

Updated 23 March 2023

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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

Inspection team

This inspection was carried out by an inspector and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own homes.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was not a registered manager in post. The provider has notified the CQC that a new manager had accepted an offer to manage the service and register with the CQC.

Notice of inspection

We gave the service a short period of notice of the inspection. This was because the service is small, and people are often out, and we wanted to be sure there would be people at home to speak with us.

Inspection activity started on 22 February 2023 and ended on 28 February 2023. We visited the location’s office on 22 February 2023.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and Healthwatch. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England.

We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection. We reviewed information we had received about the service since first registration.

We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 5 people receiving a service and 6 relatives. We reviewed 3 care plans, medication records and records associated with the management and oversight of the service. We reviewed 3 staff files, associated training and support records and a range of policies and procedures used by staff as a point of reference to support them in their roles. We spoke with 6 staff including the nominated individual, an associated service franchise manager and the deputy manager. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.

Updated 23 March 2023

Blossom Home Care Malton is a domiciliary care service providing regulated activity of personal care to people in their own homes. At the time of the inspection the service supported older people, younger adults and people with dementia.

At the time of our inspection there were 18 people using the service. Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also consider any wider social care provided.

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

Care records were held electronically with required risk assessments and support plans to provide people with safe care. People received their care and support as assessed. However, system checks had failed to ensure associated electronic records were always completed and where there were omissions that these were looked into without delay. The provider discussed actions to update this information during the inspection.

Staff had access to a range of policies to support them in their roles. However, these required updating. For example, to reflect current provider contacts, including the correct Local Authority for safeguarding referrals. The provider responded to our concerns and policies were updated during the inspection.

People told us they felt safe with the staff who supported them. Staff were clear on types of abuse to look out for and how to raise their concerns when required. Processes ensured any incidents were routinely investigated with outcomes and actions implemented to help keep people safe.

People received their medicines safely as prescribed. Good administration processes were completed by suitably trained staff and record keeping followed best practice.

Staff were safely recruited into their roles. Staff received appropriate induction, training, supervision and appraisal as necessary to enable and support them to carry out the duties they were employed to perform. Where there were omissions with the completion of refresher training the provider was aware with planned actions to quickly implement the required improvements.

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.

People were involved in planning their care and support. Care was delivered following a robust assessment of needs to ensure people’s wishes, preferences and any personal characteristics were recorded and supported.

Staff had good access to personal protective equipment to manage the risks associated with the spread of infection including COVID-19 and adhered to government guidance to protect people.

The culture of the service was open and empowered individuals to express their views and be in control of their lives with the support of staff. People told us they felt confident to approach staff and management, and that their suggestions would be listened to.

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

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 10 December 2021 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

Recommendations

We have made recommendations for the provider to review and improve their policy and practice for the oversight of comprehensive electronic record keeping and the timely updating of policies and procedures used by staff as a point of reference. We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from this concern.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.