Stag Support 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. This is the first assessment for this service. This key question has been rated outstanding. This meant people’s outcomes were consistently better than expected compared to similar services. People’s feedback described it as exceptional and distinctive.

This service scored 92 (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 always made sure people’s care and treatment was effective by thoroughly assessing and reviewing their health, care, wellbeing and communication needs with them.

The assessment process was exceptionally thorough, and the provider took time to fully get to know people, their strengths and their characters. Young people’s needs were comprehensively assessed, including all aspects of their physical and mental health, to produce highly detailed individual support plans. A relative explained, “They (staff) came round twice to check everything was OK. They'd got some background information already and then we went through each of our points as well. Two managers came first and then two of the staff came right after their first session to check it was safe, and we spoke to them as well. Everything was put in place especially as it could be.”

The support plans focused on young people’s strengths and relatives told us how staff recorded each young person’s behaviour and associated emotions. This meant staff knew and understood exactly how to meet their needs. Each part of the support plan was separated into ‘I Can…’, ‘I Need Help With…’, and ‘Help Me By…’. This ensured people received support when needed and provided them with independence where they were able. This provided a level of consistency which developed confidence. Everyone who knew the young person was meaningfully involved in this process.

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.

The provider and senior staff had a thorough understanding of appropriate legislation and kept abreast of best practices. A staff member told us, “[Training] ensures our practice is delivered to a high standard with an appropriate understanding and knowledge in specific areas.” They supported staff to fully understand these and ensure young people received support based on the most up-to-date approach for their specific health and behavioural needs. For example, a young person’s support plan recorded ‘Remind me to slow down when eating. Separate my food into 3 portions so I don’t rush’.

The provider always worked well across teams and services to support people. They shared thorough assessments of people’s needs when they moved between different services, so people only needed to tell their story once.

Staff worked closely with other involved professionals to ensure young people received seamless, consistent care. A staff member explained, “Everybody has different abilities and ideas that they bring to the table so you get the whole picture and that helps our young people.” Systems were in place to ensure staff shared information about people and any changes to their care needs immediately. For example, relatives received rosters with details of which staff were supporting each session alongside a photograph of the staff member. This meant each young person was prepared for any changes to their planned support. A relative commented, “They (staff) all get to know. I don't know how they share but it was amazing that they do. Everyone was on the same page and I find that really good. I just find it amazing to think of the reassurance.”

A professional told us, “Communication between [name of organisation] and Stag is strong and staff are always willing to share ideas and seek support when needed. Senior leaders attend multi-agency meetings, supporting the young person and their families. In my experience, reports are thorough and really reflect the young person. It’s clear that they really know them, working on the positives whilst at the same time acknowledging where there are challenges and how they are working to reduce these.”

The provider always supported people to manage their health and wellbeing to fully maximise their independence, choice and control. Staff supported people to live healthier lives and where possible, reduce their future needs for care and support.

Every aspect of young people’s individual support plans was focused on enhancing and developing the quality of each young person’s life. Plans included detailed information about each young person’s health conditions, how to support these, and were out-come focused. Young people were supported to remain as active and mobile as possible. For example, a young person had not been able to access the community for some time. Staff initially worked with the young person to incrementally gain their trust. They then spent time providing reassurance in unfamiliar surroundings before identifying and assessing suitable locations. These were risk assessed and resulted in the young person being able to run around in a park. A relative commented, “[Name of person] has got their life back. And we have ours.”

A staff member described how a young person liked sweet things, but they had worked with them to broaden their range of food choices.

The provider monitored all people’s care and treatment to continuously improve it. They ensured that outcomes were positive and consistent, and that they fully met both clinical expectations and the expectations of people themselves.

The provider and staff were exceptionally outcome focused. Individual support plans focused on the strengths of each young person and how these could be enhanced and developed. Each support session was reviewed by staff and senior managers with consideration given to how to build upon the young person’s experiences. Relatives were always included in reviews and discussions about the young person’s care. Their advice was sought and listened to throughout. This meant each young person had a seamless experience of support with family members and staff working in tandem to grow and develop their confidence and experiences. For example, before being supported by the service it was thought one young person would never be able to enjoy long-term education. This young person had been supported by the service to transition into full-time education by the end of their support package.

A professional commented, “Stag Support Services has been an invaluable partner in supporting our students with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) difficulties. Stag has helped build confidence, develop essential coping strategies, and re-engage with learning in a meaningful way. We have seen excellent progress in the young people they support, from improved emotional regulation to greater engagement in education.”

The provider told people about their rights around consent and respected these when delivering person-centred care and treatment.

Each individual support plan recorded whether the young person had consented to their support. The provider had developed a version of their service user guide to support young people to understand the support the service offered. They were then able to consent to this support.