Homelium Dorset

On this page

• Overview
• Assessing needs
• Delivering evidence-based care and treatment
• How staff, teams and services work together
• Supporting people to live healthier lives
• Monitoring and improving outcomes
• Consent to care and treatment

Effective – this means we looked for evidence that people’s care, treatment and support achieved good outcomes and promoted a good quality of life, based on best available evidence. This is the first assessment for this newly registered This key question has been rated good. This meant people’s outcomes were consistently good, and people’s feedback confirmed this.

This service scored 75 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

The service made sure people’s care and treatment was effective by assessing and reviewing their health, care, wellbeing and communication needs with them. People’s care and support needs were assessed before they started to use the service. Staff had access to information about people’s needs, through the providers electronic care planning system. People’s care and support needs were assessed, reviewed, and updated as required. People’s records were accurate and reflected the care they were receiving. There was a clear review process which ensured the person was involved, this included those important to them. External professionals were positive about working with the service and said, “The registered manager is very friendly and moreover they are proactive. There is a good line of communication, both ways.”

The service planned and delivered people’s care and treatment with them, including what was important and mattered to them. They did this in line with legislation and current evidence-based good practice and standards. People were involved in creating their care plans and risk assessments. The registered manager and staff told us they worked with people following good practice guidance, this had included working to support people’s nutritional needs, mental health and wellbeing. Evidence-based care underpinned the policies and procedures within the service.

The service worked well across teams and services to support people. They made sure people only needed to tell their story once by sharing their assessment of needs when people moved between different services. People told us the information about their care was shared appropriately. Staff kept detailed records of their care and support visits, these were shared when needed. The registered manager and senior staff had oversight of records and could access details of care as required to share them with external professionals. Examples were where information had been shared with the GP and the social worker. A professional told us, “Homelium Dorset is exceptional in the support they provide, have a high standard of communication, and it is a pleasure working with them.” These positive working partnerships had contributed to safe and continuous service for people.

The service supported people to manage their health and wellbeing to maximise their independence, choice and control. The service supported people to live healthier lives and where possible, reduce their future needs for care and support. People were supported to live a full and healthy lifestyle. Care plans and risk assessments were clear and accessible. People’s nutritional needs had been assessed and there were clear instructions in place, this included where a person may have difficulty swallowing or required certain foods. Information about people’s needs was shared efficiently as records were electronic. People’s health needs were known, and plans were in place for each person to ensure changes were recognised and communicated to the relevant specialist service.

The service routinely monitored people’s care and treatment to continuously improve it. They ensured that outcomes were positive and consistent, and that they met both clinical expectations and the expectations of people themselves. People shared examples of how their lives had improved since receiving care and support from the service. Records detailed clear goals and outcomes for people, and this included instructions for staff. Each care and support plan were individual and unique to the person. A person told us about their service and said, “They are all very nice, they are lovely. I have them twice a day in the morning and evening, they are always on time, they are perfect.”

The service told people about their rights around consent and respected these when delivering person-centred care and treatment. People told us they were treated with respect and supported to live their lives. Where appropriate, relatives had been involved in decisions made on the persons behalf. Consent was sought from people and where necessary in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). Decision making was supported by clear policies and processes. The registered manager understood the principles of the MCA. Records showed consent had been sought for the care provided. Care was planned in the persons best interest in the least restrictive way and in consultation with others, this was part of the normal process for the service. Where people had given a relative or friend the legal authority to act on their behalf in matters such as their health and welfare needs, the correct documentation was in place.