About the service:

The Blundellsands Classic provides personal care and support to people in their own homes. People who used the service lived on site in their own private apartments or bungalows within the grounds. There are communal areas for the use of people who live independently within the grounds. The service provides 24-hour staffing for emergency support. At the time of the inspection the service was supporting four people.

People's experience of using this service:

People told us that they felt safe with the support they received from the staff. Care records provided detailed information around people's individual risks in order for staff to keep them safe from avoidable harm. Person centred care was delivered, giving people choice over the time they received support for their daily routines in line with their preferences.

Staffing levels were appropriately managed and people received care and support from regular staff. Enough staff were employed each day to meet people's needs. People and their relatives told us that care and support was provided in a safe manner.

Recruitment processes were robust. The necessary pre-employment checks were completed and people received care from staff who were suitable to work in adult social care environments.

Staff received regular training, supervision and appraisals to ensure they had the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively support people.

Processes and systems were in place to ensure people received their medicines from trained and competent staff.

People's overall health and well-being was effectively assessed and managed. Referrals were made to external healthcare professionals accordingly.

People were supported with meals, drinks and snacks, as required.

People were supported in a kind, caring and compassionate manner. Staff were familiar with people's support needs. People's privacy and dignity was respected when care was provided to them.

The registered provider had a complaints policy in place. People and relatives knew how to make a complaint if they needed to. However, no-one had made a complaint for some time. We received positive feedback about the quality of care and support people received.

More information is in Detailed Findings below

Rating at last inspection:

Good (Report published 13 October 2016)

Why we inspected:

This was a planned comprehensive inspection to check that this service remained Good. It is the Care Quality Commissions (CQC) methodology to re-inspect 'Good' providers within a 30-month timescale.

Follow up:

No concerns were raised within this inspection. We will therefore aim to re-inspect this service within 30 months. We will continue to monitor the service through the information we receive. If any concerning information is received we may inspect sooner.

This inspection visit took place on 19 September 2016 and was announced. The provider was given 48 hours’ notice because the location provides a domiciliary care service to people. We needed to be sure that we could access the office premises.

The Blundellsands Classic provides personal care and support to people in their own homes. People who used the service lived on site in their own private apartments or bungalows within the grounds. There are communal areas for the use of people who live independently within the grounds. The service provides 24 hour staffing and if people required support staff were available. At the time of the inspection the service was supporting five people.

There was a registered manager in place. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission 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.

At the last inspection on 14 May 2014 the service was meeting the requirements of the regulations inspected at that time.

Systems were in place to protect people from abuse and unsafe care. People we spoke with told us they felt safe and were happy living independently in their own apartments with support from the service.

We looked at the care records for two people who used the service. There was information in place about support needs for the individual, how these were to be met and the involvement of the person to promote independence. One person who used the service said, “I do need a little help but hope to be back on my own shortly.”

We found recruitment procedures were safe with appropriate checks undertaken before new staff members commenced their employment. Staff spoken with and records seen confirmed a structured induction training and development programme was in place.

We looked at how the service was staffed. Staff members spoken with said they were happy with how their visits were managed. They told us they were allocated sufficient time to be able to provide support people required. Due to staff being based within the complex visits were never missed and very rarely late this was confirmed by talking with staff and people who used the service.

Risk assessments had been developed to minimise potential risk of harm to people during the delivery of their care. These had been kept under review and were relevant to the care provided.

Staff knew people they supported and provided a service that was tailored for the individual. Care plans were in place detailing how people wished their care to be delivered. People told us they had been involved in making decisions about their care.

We found medication procedures at the service were safe. Staff who would be responsible for the administration of medicines had received training to ensure they had the competency and skills required.

Staff received regular training and were knowledgeable about their roles and responsibilities. They had the skills, knowledge and experience required to support people with their care and social needs.

People supported by the service told us staff who visited them were polite, reliable and respectful in their approach to their work. Comments included from people who used the service, “They know this is my apartment and treat it with respect.”

The registered manager understood the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). This meant they were working within the law to support people who may lack capacity to make their own decisions.

The service had a complaints procedure which was made available to people when they received a service. People we spoke with told us they were happy and had no complaints.

Care plans were organised and had identified the care and support people required. We found they were informative a

We considered all the evidence we had gathered under the outcomes we inspected. We used the information to answer the five questions we always ask;

Is the service safe?

Is the service effective?

Is the service caring?

Is the service responsive?

Is the service well led?

This is a summary of what we found-

Is the service safe?

All staff had received training related to safeguarding procedures. This meant staff had knowledge that helped them recognise when any form of abuse had occured, or was likely to occur. Staff also told us they were aware of the whistleblowing policy and told us, `We would not hesitate to use it.`

We spoke with several people who used services and one told us, "The best thing about living here is the security." Another person told us, "I feel very lucky to be here. It`s so safe and I am so grateful."

Is the service effective?

People who used services had their care needs assessed with them and they were involved in writing the care plans. People`s needs had been taken into account and the layout and signage around the service enable people to move around freely and safely.

It was clear from talking to different staff members that they had a good knowledge of the care and support needs of all people at Blundellsands Classic Management. One person using services told us, "The staff are excellent. You would not get a better place than this."

Is the service caring?

People using services were cared for by patient and attentive staff members. We saw staff assisting people whenever they were asked. People`s wishes had been recorded and all care was provided in accordance with those wishes.

One person we spoke with told us, "Everyone is so friendly here. It`s like a community." Another person using services told us, "I am very happy here. The best thing I ever did was move here."

Is the service responsive?

People using services were invited to `owner`s meetings` every couple of months. The provider also conducted annual surveys for people using services and their families. We were told that any identified issues were addressed. This meant the quality of service was being monitored. If necessary, changes would be made in consultation with people using services, aimed at improving the quality of service being provided.

The provider had a complaints procedure in place. All people using services had a copy of the procedure in their rooms. One person we spoke with said, "We never really have any problems but I know I can go over at any time and talk to the manager if I need to."

Is the service well-led?

We saw that the provider had a quality assurance procedure in place. We observed evidence of both internal and external audits that had been carried out. Any identified issues had been addressed accordingly.

Regular meetings were held for people who used services and staff members. We were told that these meetings were aimed at `driving up` the quality of service being provided to people at Blundellsands Classic Management. People who used services told us they were regularly consulted with, particularly related to any proposed changes.

People received a domiciliary service from staff at Blundellsands Classic Management. The service supported eight people in their own homes within an apartment and bungalow complex. The Registered Manager informed us that there were 12 staff employed at the service.

We met with three people and one relative in their homes and asked them about the service they received. They told us they were happy with the way staff supported them and the tasks they carried out for them. One person told us, “The staff here go above and beyond to help you. They are exceptional.” Another person told us when they needed additional time it was not a problem and the support was received without a delay. People who received a service told us the staff knew what support they required and did everything that was needed for them.

We checked the management of medicines. We looked at the care files for four people and some of the staff records. We found the information recorded was up to date.

The Blundellsands Classic Management service worked with health professionals, such as district nurses, pharmacists, chiropodists and GP’s to ensure people who received their service received coordinated care and support. We saw a record was kept for visiting professionals to complete and read when visiting a person. The service contacted health professionals on a person’s behalf if they needed assistance. We saw a manager had contacted district nurses to request a home visit.

People received a domiciliary service from staff at Blundellsands Classic Management. The service supported four people in their own homes within an apartment and bungalow complex.

We spoke with two people and their relatives about the service they received.

They told us they were happy with the way staff supported them and the tasks they carried out for them.

Care and treatment was planned and delivered in a way that ensured people's safety and welfare. Those we spoke with said the staff knew what support they required and did everything that was needed for them.

Staff we spoke with had received relevant training and understood how to report abuse they were aware of.

We asked people who used the service and their relatives about the skills of the support workers. They told us the staff worked very hard and knew how to do their job.

We spoke to people and their relatives about the service they received with regards to their involvement in the quality of the service. They told us they completed a questionnaire approximately every three months and were able to contact the manager if they ever had a problem with the service.