Bluebird Care (Barnet) was rated Good across all five key questions following its September 2023 inspection, maintaining the same rating as its previous inspection in 2017. Minor documentation gaps in care planning, medicines records, and consent recording were identified and promptly addressed, while the absence of a registered manager was noted as an area being actively resolved.
Concerns (6)
moderate
Governance
: “There was no registered manager in post at the time of the inspection, but the provider was recruiting to this position.”
minorCare planning: “One person's plan needed more detail for staff on signs they may be becoming unwell due to their health condition.”
minorMedication management: “We saw one person's records were not always clear about when they should take some 'when required' medicine.”
minorConsent / capacity: “One person's plan did not clearly record how this was agreed with them and we discussed this with the manager so they could correct this.”
minorStaff competency: “Some relatives felt some staff might need more training. A relative reported instances when they felt staff had not always been effective.”
minorCommunication with families: “Two people said this could be difficult sometimes when staff did not speak much English.”
Strengths
· People felt safe and staff treated them with dignity and respect; most people were visited by familiar, consistent staff who knew their care needs.
· Robust medicines support processes including digital records, competency assessments, and regular audits by management.
· Staff received a wide range of training including dementia awareness, MCA, safeguarding, infection control, and dignity in care, with regular refreshers.
· Regular supervisions, competency checks, and unannounced spot checks supported staff performance and well-being.
· Strong complaint handling processes with timely responses and periodic review for service learning.