Blackbourne View

At our last inspection of 9 December 2015, the service was rated Good overall. However, the key question for Safe was rated Requires Improvement, this was because improvements were needed in the service's medicines procedures and processes for monitoring the management of medicines. We found the evidence continued to support the rating of Good overall and improvements had been made in the key question for Safe. There was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

The service provides a safe service to people. Improvements had been made in the medicines procedures and monitoring medicines. Where people required support with their medicines, this was done safely. There were systems in place which were intended to minimise the risks to people, including from abuse and in their daily lives. There were enough care workers to cover people's planned care visits. Recruitment of care workers was done safely. There were infection control procedures in place to guide care workers in how to minimise the risks of cross infection.

The service continued to provide an effective service. People were supported by care workers who were trained and supported to meet their needs. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and care workers cared for them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. Where people required support with their dietary needs, systems were in place to support them. People were supported to have access to health professionals where needed. The service worked with other organisations involved in people's care to provide a consistent service.

The service continued to provide a caring service. People had positive relationships with the care workers, team leaders and registered manager. People's dignity, privacy and independence were respected and promoted. People's views were listened to and valued.

The service continued to provide a responsive service. People received care and support which was assessed, planned and delivered to meet their individual needs. There were systems in place to support and care for people at the end of their lives, where required. A complaints procedure was in place and complaints were acted upon and used to improve the service.

The service continued to provide a well-led service. The service used comments from people and incidents in the service to learn from and to drive improvement. The service had a quality assurance system and shortfalls were identified and addressed. As a result the quality of the service continued to improve.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found