Stocks Home Care Services

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. At our last assessment we rated this key question good. At this assessment the rating has remained 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 provider made sure people’s care and treatment was effective by assessing and reviewing their health, care, wellbeing and communication needs with them. The provider made sure people’s care and treatment was effective by assessing and reviewing their health, care, wellbeing and communication needs with them. People and relatives told us they were involved from the beginning, with home visits completed to understand what support people needed and how they wanted it delivered. Care plans were person centred and detailed, which helped staff understand how to support people safely and in line with their preferences. People confirmed their care was reviewed when circumstances changed, for example, following hospital admissions or changes in health needs. One person told us, “Someone came out and asked what support I needed. I have a care plan. They review my care.” Records and feedback showed staff knew people well and used assessments to deliver consistent care.

The provider 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 and relatives consistently told us staff were skilled and well trained, including in the use of equipment such as hoists, standing aids, stoma care and catheter care. One person told us, “Staff are trained to look after me. They know what they are doing.” Where improvements were needed in risk documentation, such as around emollient creams, stoma care and behaviours that challenge, the provider responded immediately and strengthened assessments. This helped ensure staff had the right information to provide safe and effective care.

The provider 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. Staff, teams and services worked together to support people to achieve positive outcomes. People and relatives described good communication between carers and the office, with concerns raised by staff acted on appropriately. For example, a relative told us staff shared concerns about swallowing difficulties for their loved one, which led to referrals being made and involvement from speech and language therapy. Professionals provided positive feedback about their working relationships with the service and the outcomes people experienced as a result of this collaboration. This joint working helped ensure people received coordinated care that met their needs.

The provider supported people to manage their health and wellbeing to maximise their independence, choice and control. Staff supported people to live healthier lives and where possible, reduce their future needs for care and support. People were supported to access healthcare appointments, manage long‑term conditions and follow professional advice. Relatives told us staff noticed changes in people’s health and took appropriate action, including contacting health professionals when concerns were identified. People told us staff supported them in ways that helped maintain independence and comfort, for example, by encouraging choice around personal care and daily routines. This support helped people remain well and reduce the risk of deterioration.

The provider 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. The provider monitored people’s outcomes and used this information to review and improve care. Care plans were updated following incidents, changes in need or professional input, which helped minimise risks and improve consistency of care. Relatives told us staff recorded daily notes and that supervisors reviewed these, providing oversight of people’s care. One relative explained, “The carers take notes every day. The supervisor will look at the notes”. This approach supported timely responses to changes and helped ensure outcomes for people remained positive.

The provider told people about their rights around consent and respected these when delivering person-centred care and treatment. Staff made sure people’s consent to care and treatment was obtained and respected in line with legislation. People told us staff routinely asked for consent and respected their choices, including preferences about personal care, routines and who provided their support. One person said, “They ask if I want a wash or a shower.” The provider documented both verbal and written consent, and people confirmed they were actively involved in decisions about their care. This helped ensure care was delivered lawfully and in line with people’s wishes.