Bluebird Care (Maidstone, Tonbridge & Royal Tunbridge Wells)
Bluebird Care (Maidstone, Tonbridge & Royal Tunbridge Wells) is a home care agency in Gravesend, Kent (DA12 2DL). It holds a CQC rating of Good.
About Bluebird Care (Maidstone, Tonbridge & Royal Tunbridge Wells)
Bluebird Care supports people in their own homes across Maidstone, Tonbridge, Royal Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding parts of Kent. We work with older people and younger adults, with people living with dementia, and with people who have physical disabilities or sight and hearing loss. Nearly everybody who contacts us is trying to solve the same problem: how to stay at home when things have become harder to manage. The answer looks different in every household. It might be a short call first thing to help with washing, dressing and breakfast, several visits across the day, support with medication, help getting to appointments, or a longer visit so that a family carer gets a real break. We visit before anything starts, agree what will genuinely help, and write it down clearly. When circumstances change, we revise the plan rather than leaving something in place because it suited six months ago. Where dementia or a sensory impairment is part of the picture, we expect our carers to slow down, keep things familiar and communicate in the way that suits the person in front of them. Rushing is what turns a manageable morning into a distressing one. Consistent staffing is something we work at. Our most recent rating from the Care Quality Commission is good. Please ring us if you would like to discuss support for yourself or a relative.
Care provided at Bluebird Care (Maidstone, Tonbridge & Royal Tunbridge Wells)
- Older person care
- Dementia care
- Physical disability support
- Sensory impairment support
- Younger adults care
- Covers approximately 10 miles
- Last CQC inspection: 24 April 2019
Read the full inspection report on the CQC website.
What the inspectors found
A plain English summary of the Care Quality Commission inspection behind the current rating of Bluebird Care (Maidstone, Tonbridge & Royal Tunbridge Wells). Report published 24 April 2019.
Safe
Inspectors found people received safe care and support from staff. Staff knew what actions to take to protect people from abuse. The registered manager made sure there were enough staff before taking on new people, and staff were recruited safely.
Effective
Some people told inspectors that not all staff were skilled in carrying out their role. They thought newly recruited staff would benefit from some additional training. Inspectors made a recommendation about this.
Caring
Inspectors found people were treated with kindness and respect. Their privacy and dignity were respected.
Responsive
Inspectors found people received personalised care that met their needs and preferences.
Well-led
Inspectors found the service had a registered manager who was dedicated to providing high-quality care and an open and fair culture. Audits were in place to check how the service was performing and to act on any concerns. The service had developed strong links with the local community in innovative ways.
What people told the inspectors
People said they knew staff well and felt staff knew them well. Some people said newly recruited staff would benefit from additional training.
Since the last inspection
Rated Good in April 2019, the same overall rating as before (Good).
Effective moved from Good to Requires improvement; Safe is still Good; Caring is still Good; Responsive is still Good; Well-led is still Good.
- 24 April 2019: Routine inspection, rated Good. This inspection gave the current rating.
- 8 September 2016: Routine inspection, rated Good
- 4 October 2014: Routine inspection
- 9 January 2014: Routine inspection
- 12 March 2013: Routine inspection
- 2 March 2012: Routine inspection
Read the full report on the CQC website
Source: Care Quality Commission inspection report, summarised by CareAssura. Contains CQC data used under the Open Government Licence.
How Bluebird Care (Maidstone, Tonbridge & Royal Tunbridge Wells) compares in Gravesham
Measured against the 28 home care agencies registered in Gravesham.
- CQC rating
- Good. 10 of the 28 agencies (36%) are rated Good or Outstanding. Across Kent the figure is 42%.
- Latest report
- 24 April 2019. 8 of the 28 agencies have published a newer inspection report since.
- Registered
- January 2011. One of the longer established agencies. 27 of the 28 registered more recently.
- Provider
- 2 services. Ampi Limited runs 2 adult social care services.
Powered by Orrery Intelligence. Data: CQC register and Food Standards Agency ratings. Counts cover registered home care agencies in Gravesham.
The local picture: Gravesham
What the numbers say about home care in Gravesham, in Kent.
What home care costs
| Type of care | What it costs |
|---|
| Hourly care visits, Kent | £28.50 to £39.15 an hour (Middle half of prices from 7 agencies. Median £32.00.) |
| What Kent pays | £28.05 an hour (Average hourly rate, October 2026.) |
| Homecare Association minimum price | £34.42 an hour (2026 to 2027. The Association's estimate of the lowest price that covers the cost of delivering care. It is not a legal minimum.) |
| Live in care, England | £1,250 to £1,668 a week (Middle half of prices from 62 agencies. Median £1,455.) |
Published prices come from agencies that publish rates, so treat them as a guide. Ask the agency for its own price.
- People aged 75 and over: 9,500. Rising to 10,100 by 2035, up 7%
- People aged 85 and over: 2,500. Rising to 3,200 by 2035, up 30%
- Living with dementia, aged 65 and over (estimate): 1,200. Rising to 1,400 by 2035, up 14%
- Dementia diagnosis rate: 58%. The NHS ambition is 67%. Kent as a whole is 62%.
- Agencies in the borough, last 12 months: 1 opened, 1 closed. 27 registered today.
- Choice of agencies: 318 within 10 miles. In a typical neighbourhood. The nearest is under a mile away (0.6 miles).
Powered by Orrery Intelligence. Market model built 22 October 2026 (ONS 2022 based population projections, dementia estimates, CQC register), published home care rates, Homecare Association.
Good to know about Bluebird Care (Maidstone, Tonbridge & Royal Tunbridge Wells)
Facts from public registers, and what the agency has told us.
- Registered with CQC
- 25 January 2011, so 15 years.
- Run by
- Ampi Limited, which runs 2 adult social care services in England. All 2 that have a rating are rated Good or Outstanding.
- Service type
- Personal care in people's own homes (domiciliary care).
- Where it covers
- Not yet confirmed by the agency. Check that your postcode is covered before you rely on it.
- Live in, overnight and 24 hour care
- Not yet confirmed. The agency can add these when it claims its profile.
Sources: CQC register and the agency's own entries. Anything marked not yet confirmed is shown as unknown rather than guessed.
Common questions about Bluebird Care (Maidstone, Tonbridge & Royal Tunbridge Wells)
Where is Bluebird Care (Maidstone, Tonbridge & Royal Tunbridge Wells) located?
Bluebird Care (Maidstone, Tonbridge & Royal Tunbridge Wells) is a home care agency based in Gravesend, Kent (DA12 2DL), providing care to people in their own homes within approximately 10 miles of the area.
What type of care does Bluebird Care (Maidstone, Tonbridge & Royal Tunbridge Wells) provide?
Bluebird Care (Maidstone, Tonbridge & Royal Tunbridge Wells) is registered to provide care in people’s own homes, with support that includes Older person care, Dementia care, Physical disability support, Sensory impairment support, Younger adults care. The full list of services is shown on this page.
What is Bluebird Care (Maidstone, Tonbridge & Royal Tunbridge Wells)'s CQC rating?
Bluebird Care (Maidstone, Tonbridge & Royal Tunbridge Wells) is registered with and inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Its most recent overall rating is Good following its last inspection on 24 April 2019. You can read the full CQC report from the link on this page.
Does Bluebird Care (Maidstone, Tonbridge & Royal Tunbridge Wells) provide dementia care?
Yes. Bluebird Care (Maidstone, Tonbridge & Royal Tunbridge Wells) supports people living with dementia. We recommend contacting the agency directly to discuss your individual situation.
Questions families ask about Bluebird Care (Maidstone, Tonbridge & Royal Tunbridge Wells)
Can they support someone living with dementia at home?
Yes. Yes. Bluebird Care (Maidstone, Tonbridge & Royal Tunbridge Wells) is registered for dementia care in people's own homes.
Can they help with medication and nursing tasks?
Ask the home. Most home care agencies prompt or give medication but do not provide nursing tasks. Ask what their carers are trained to do.
Do they cover our area?
Yes. Bluebird Care (Maidstone, Tonbridge & Royal Tunbridge Wells) covers roughly 10 miles from Gravesend.
Will the council help pay?
Ask the home. The agency has not told us which funding it accepts. Most take both council funded and self funded clients; a direct payment from the council can be used to pay them.
Typical home care fees in the South East
Bluebird Care (Maidstone, Tonbridge & Royal Tunbridge Wells) has not published its fees yet. These are typical hourly rates for the South East, so you know roughly what to expect before you call.
- Home care (per hour): £29 to £35 per hour, typical range
Indicative figures for the South East, not a quote from Bluebird Care (Maidstone, Tonbridge & Royal Tunbridge Wells). Actual fees depend on the room, the level of care and how it is funded.
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