Care worker at 'outstanding' home care agency says 'I love making people smile'

A home care provider in Hampshire has been rated as ‘outstanding’ for the second time, with one of its care workers telling the care regulator, “I love making people smile”.

Inspectors from the Care Quality Commisson found Bluebird Care (Andover & Stockbridge), which provides personal care to people living in their own homes, promoted ‘a positive culture that is person-centred, open, inclusive and empowering, which achieves good outcomes for people’.

The report revealed there was a 'culture within the service where there was a focus on the provision of outstanding care to people'.

Many people and their relatives had commented on how the care and support had made a difference to their lives and had had a positive effect on their wellbeing, saying: “I have really clicked with my carer, she only needs to look at me and my pain goes away” and “I love all my carers and think that it is a fantastic team”.

One care worker told inspectors “I love making people smile” and added: “Very often people are poorly or depressed, making them smile is a tiny thing for me but a massive thing for them".

While another said: “I feel privileged to go into their homes and be a very important part of their lives.”

Similar sentiments were reflected in the large number of compliments the service had received, with one saying: “We are so impressed with [care worker], the care and bonding is so lovely to see, she has a wonderful relationship with Mum” and another said: “Yesterday we had a really bad day but as soon as the carer arrived she had us laughing”.

In terms of end of life care and support, staff spoke with sadness about losing the people they had cared for with one telling inspectors: “We get to know so many people and get to touch so many lives, that eventually, with some customers we are able to build a strong connection…. it's very sad and painful to watch them go, when they pass away.”

This was echoed by a second care worker who said, “The worst part of my job is losing a customer when they pass away, sometimes it's like losing family.”

Staff worked alongside community healthcare professionals to ensure that people had a pain free and dignified death, according to the CQC.

Bluebird Care (Andover & Stockbridge) offer staff access to nationally recognised qualifications in End of Life Care.

The provider’s ‘outstanding’ rating means it is now in high demand and is expanding, creating 50 jobs in the area.

Norman Murphy, managing director of Bluebird Care, said: “Our outstanding rating reflects our team’s dedication to their local community and it reassures people that we provide only the highest quality home care.

“The CQC have also recognised that we provide the very best support and training to our team. We’re blessed to have care assistants who are passionate about making a real difference to people’s lives.”

click here for more details or to contact Bluebird Care Andover & Stockbridge