Transforming Support (Birmingham)

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 service. 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 provider made sure people’s care and treatment was effective by assessing and reviewing their health, care, well-being and communication needs with them.

Thorough assessments were completed before individuals began using the service to ensure their needs could be met safely. These assessments considered personal preferences, potential risks, and desired outcomes. They were reviewed and updated regularly to reflect any changes in needs, helping to ensure that support remained appropriate and effective. The information gathered was then used to develop and guide person-centred support plans.

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.

Recognised assessment tools were utilised to promote safe and effective practice, with specialist input sought where necessary. For example, Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) was engaged to support individuals’ communication and dietary requirements. There was clear evidence that up-to-date best practice guidance was consistently applied throughout the service. Learning gained from training sessions, webinars, and external resources such as Skills for Care was effectively shared with staff and integrated into everyday practice.

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 we spoke with told us they worked well together as a team and felt supported by managers. They told us how they worked closely with a range of professionals to meet people's health and well-being needs. Records showed regular contact with external services. The staff team communicated effectively through handovers and daily records. Relatives told us staff communicated with them regularly, keeping them up to date with events concerning their loved ones.

The provider supported people to manage their health and well-being 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’s health needs were consistently reviewed, with suitable support in place to address any changes promptly. Individuals were supported to attend healthcare services, including both routine and specialist appointments, and benefited from annual health reviews to ensure ongoing monitoring of their wellbeing.

Staff also supported people to maintain a balanced diet and adequate hydration, actively encouraging healthy lifestyle choices. Where specialised dietary requirements were identified, these were effectively managed in accordance with professional guidance. For example, one individual received regular support with dietary changes and healthy routines, successfully aiding their weight management.

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.

Support was regularly reviewed to ensure it remained effective and responsive to people’s changing needs. People’s goals and aspirations were clearly identified, planned for, and embedded within support plans. Progress towards these outcomes was consistently monitored, with adjustments made where required to improve effectiveness. For example, one person was supported to go away on holiday for the first time.

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

People’s capacity to make decisions about their support was assessed in line with relevant guidance. Staff demonstrated a good understanding of how to support people to be as involved as possible in making choices and decisions about their lives. They used appropriate communication methods, such as signs and pictures, and adapted their approach to meet people’s needs. A person told us, “[Name of person] has an iPad to aid communication, and they will point and sign to communicate what they want. For example; they will take staff to the tv and point to the programme they want. [Name of person] loves people watching and social interaction with other people’s birthday parties.”

Where people lacked capacity to make specific decisions, best interest decisions were recorded. Records identified who was involved in the decision-making process and provided rationale for the decisions made.