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15
Jul
Harrogate and Ripon care provider ‘requires improvement’, report finds
An at-home care provider for elderly people across Harrogate and Ripon “requires improvement”, a report has found.
Care Quality Commission inspectors carried out an eight-day inspection at Blossom Home Care Harrogate and Ripon last month.
The report into its findings, published on Friday (July 11), provided an overall rating of “requires improvement” as well as individual gradings for specific categories.
Blossom Home Care Harrogate and Ripon, based at Sycamore Business Park in Copt Hewick, was rated “good” in three categories: effective, caring and responsive.
The report said the company puts people’s care and treatment at the centre of its service and understands how best to respond to any changes in clients’ needs.
It added the company’s care records were “person-centred”, and clients were treated with dignity and respect.
However, inspectors said safety and management provisions required improvement.
They said risks, particularly those concerning health conditions, did not always have an associated risk assessment in place.
The report says:
There was not always clear detail throughout care records of how a risk might impact the person or how staff could help reduce those risks to people. Quality monitoring and auditing was not sufficiently robust and had not identified the concerns found during the inspection, or ensured appropriate action was taken to update the records.
Inspectors did not find any evidence that clients had been harmed, the report said, but they believed there was an increased risk of harm as records did not always give staff sufficient detail on how to mitigate risk.
But the inspectors did recognise the company’s behavioural support plans, which were put in place to guide staff on what might upset a client and how they can be supported.
'Inconsistent' leadership
Staff were praised for their work with other agencies to “ensure people’s needs were met”, and inspectors found staff received the necessary training and support to carry out their jobs effectively.
The report adds staff are recognised and awarded for good practice, and the company welcomes opportunities to continue learning and developing the service.
It said the company and the registered manager demonstrated a commitment to providing people with person-centred care and support, and praised leaders for their understanding of the care industry, which enables them to lead effectively.
Staff are described as caring and kind, and “always friendly and attentive”.
The manager is open and honest, the report says, with one member of staff telling inspectors the care provider is a “good company to work for”.
However, inspectors said the management and leadership at Blossom Home Care Harrogate and Ripon are “inconsistent”.
“Leaders and the culture they created did not always support the delivery of high-quality, person-centred care”, the report says.
According to the report, the care provider was in breach of the legal regulations relating to safe care and treatment and governance. Inspectors asked the company for an action plan in response to the concerns raised.
Blossom Home Care Harrogate and Ripon “did not have clear responsibilities, roles and good governance”, the report says, adding the company “did not always act on the best information about risk, performance and outcomes”.
Staff members praised each other for their work, with one person telling the inspectors:
I have never seen a staff member deliver poor care towards anyone.
But the report says some staff raised concerns about “working long hours and confusion regarding [a] zero hours contract”.
An employee told CQC inspectors the long hours are “very draining”, and some staff found travel times difficult.
However, the report said this was addressed between the CQC and the company:
We discussed this with the provider who detailed recent changes to how visits were organised. They told us a review of contracts was underway that would clarify contracts and hours.
‘I will give them 10-out-of-10’
CQC inspectors spoke to some of Blossom Home Care Harrogate and Ripon's clients, of which there were 37 people at the time of the inspection, many of whom praised the care they received.
One person said:
I will give them 10-out-of-10 for the good job that they do.
According to the report, clients were “really happy” with the care received and felt the company was “very well managed”.
Findings will 'strengthen our resolve', company says
The Stray Ferret contacted Blossom Home Care Harrogate and Ripon for comment on the report’s findings.
A spokesperson said:
While our rating wasn't what we hoped for, the report highlighted many positives. We're especially proud that our carers and clients feel supported and safe. Our documentation is person-centered, clearly outlining our clients' wishes and needs, and they are actively involved in its creation. The inspection also confirmed that everyone is consistently treated with dignity and respect, and consent is a fundamental aspect of our daily philosophy.
We are actively reviewing the findings, implementing the advice and feedback, and working towards further improvements. We've already addressed most of the issues raised (some of them on the day). Unfortunately, most of the information was present but not always in the most accessible locations during the inspection.
We are committed to upholding our Blossom values of being caring, confident, passionate, patient and respectful. We will continue to improve and grow until we achieve an 'Outstanding' rating, as this experience will only strengthen our resolve.
The Blossom Home Care Harrogate and Ripon office is one of 25 across England and Scotland.
It also has offices in York, Leeds, Northallerton, Malton and Beverley.
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