CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Blossoms
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected by detailed, regularly updated risk assessments. Inspectors also found safe recruitment, enough staff, suitable medicine procedures and good infection control.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff had relevant training and support. People's health, nutrition, communication and legal decision-making needs were assessed and reviewed.
- Caring?
- Good
- Inspectors observed relaxed, caring relationships. Staff treated people with dignity and encouraged them to make choices and develop independence.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans reflected people's preferences and communication needs. People were supported with activities, community access, relationships and complaints.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The home had an open and positive culture. Managers carried out checks, acted on feedback and worked with health and social care professionals.
What inspectors found, December 2019
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and person-centred care with strong support for independence.
This was an unannounced, planned inspection on 29 October 2019. One inspector spoke with a person living at the home, two relatives and four staff. They also reviewed care, medicine, recruitment and management records, and contacted local professionals.
The home supported six adults with learning disabilities and autism. Inspectors found detailed risk assessments, suitable staffing, safe recruitment and well-trained staff. People had personalised care plans and were supported to make choices, build independence, join activities and access the community.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. The previous inspection was also rated Good, so the overall rating stayed the same.
Detailed risk planning
Inspectors found that risks were reviewed regularly and that care plans told staff how to reduce known risks while promoting independence.
“People were protected from risks by very detailed, regularly updated risk assessments.” from the report
Personalised care
Care plans included people's preferences, cultural needs, communication needs and strengths. People and relatives were involved in planning care.
“People's care plans reflected their preferences and cultural needs.” from the report
Activities and independence
People took part in work, volunteering, education, hobbies and community activities. Staff encouraged people to develop skills and do more for themselves.
“People were supported to access a wide range of activities, hobbies and pastimes which enhanced their lives and well-being.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How will you assess and record my relative's communication needs, and how will staff support them to express choices?
- 02What activities, work or community opportunities could my relative take part in?
- 03How will you support my relative to manage medicines, including any medicines taken as required?
- 04How will you involve me and my relative in reviewing the care plan and risk assessments?
- 05How will you support my relative's health appointments, nutrition and other health needs?
This was an unannounced inspection of the whole care home and all five CQC areas; each rating was reviewed and remained Good. This explanation was written from the published report of 20 December 2019 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
What inspectors found, May 2017
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, effective, kind and personalised care, with strong leadership.
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection on 7 March 2017. One inspector spoke with four people using the service, staff and reviewed care records, medicines records, recruitment files, training records and quality checks.
The home supported six people with learning disabilities. Inspectors found that people were safe, received their medicines properly and had enough suitably trained staff. People were treated with kindness and respect, and their care plans reflected their personal needs, choices and routines.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. The home was rated Good overall, the same as at the previous inspection.
Safe staffing
Inspectors found enough suitably qualified staff to meet people's needs. Recruitment checks were also completed thoroughly.
“There was sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to keep people safe and meet their needs.” from the report
Good health support
Staff noticed changes in people's health quickly and made appropriate referrals. People also had regular access to a range of healthcare professionals.
“Any changes in people's health were recognised quickly by staff and prompt and appropriate referrals were made to healthcare professionals.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors observed positive relationships, laughter and good humour between people and staff. Staff treated people with kindness, compassion, dignity and respect.
“People developed positive relationships with staff and were treated with kindness, compassion, dignity and respect.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans reflected people's needs, preferences and routines. Staff supported people to take part in activities they enjoyed and to maintain family contact.
“Detailed care plans had been developed in conjunction with people living in the home and where appropriate their relatives.” from the report
Open leadership
The home had systems for people and relatives to give their views. Inspectors found that staff felt supported and listened to.
“There was a positive, open and transparent culture in the service.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How will you make sure the person's care plan continues to reflect their choices, routines and changing needs?
- 02How do you check that medicines are given safely and that any discrepancies are corrected?
- 03What training and supervision will the staff supporting the person have?
- 04How will you support the person to take part in activities, visit family and make everyday decisions?
- 05How can the person or their relatives raise a complaint, and how will it be followed up?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC questions, and all five ratings were Good. This explanation was written from the published report of 3 May 2017 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
Every inspection of Blossoms
3 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- December 2019Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- June 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 21 January 2011.
Ratings and report dates from the Care Quality Commission, Open Government Licence v3.0. A home can also be visited without a new rating being published, so the timeline shows published inspections.
Weigh the report against the rest
Fees, photos and reviews from families
How to read CQC ratings and reports
What to check when you visit
89 live-in carers within about an hour of North Northamptonshire
These are self-employed carers on PrimeCarers, the introductory agency that runs this directory. Each has a profile with their own rates and reviews from families, and you choose who to talk to.
Most charge £980 to £1,260 a week. 76 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“If you bump into her in the night on her way to the bathroom she will still inquire how you are and if everything is alright.”
Every carer has had an enhanced DBS check in the last 18 months, ID and right-to-work checks and an online interview. Their skills and training are for you to check with them. Carers set their own rates, and who is free changes week to week.