YourLife (Shirley)

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 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.

People’s needs were assessed before care was provided, with care plans developed and reviewed to reflect changing circumstances and support needs. Staff described using a structured, person-centred approach to understand what people could do independently and where support was required. Care plans were reviewed regularly and updated following any changes. One person told us, “I get to see the care plan, reviews happen... It is always kept up to date.”

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.

Care plans contained personalised information to guide staff, including guidance on nutrition and hydration. For example, one care plan recorded a person’s preference for small portions and instructed staff to regularly refill their water bottle to support hydration. Staff worked with people and other professionals to promote positive outcomes. One person told us they had received physiotherapy following a serious illness and were working towards greater independence, saying, “Physiotherapy has finished, that’s the next step to get me in my wheelchair.”

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 worked effectively with colleagues and external professionals to support people's needs. Information was shared with relevant professionals and representatives when concerns arose, with records maintained to ensure continuity of care. Staff told us they supported people to contact healthcare services, informed those acting on their behalf when required, and documented actions taken. A healthcare professional told us they had no concerns about the care provided and said communication from the service was good.

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.

One person who had previously been unable to manage aspects of eating and taking medication independently was encouraged and supported during mealtimes. Staff described how they gradually promoted the person's confidence and abilities, and as a result, the person was able to manage these tasks independently. This demonstrated a proactive approach to supporting people to maintain and improve their independence.

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.

Care plans contained clear goals and guidance for staff on how to support people to achieve them. One person's goal was to rebuild their confidence and strength so they could return to activities they enjoyed, including socialising and shopping with family. Reflecting on their progress, they told us they were "fiercely independent" and, with support from physiotherapy, were improving and "excited to be building up strength again." Staff worked with people and healthcare professionals to review outcomes and adapt support as needs changed.

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

The registered manager shared that they understood and followed the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and supported people to make their own decisions wherever possible. A relative confirmed staff consistently respected people's choices, telling us, “When I have been around, they always seek consent.” Staff demonstrated a good understanding of consent and the MCA, explaining that it helps ensure people’s rights are respected and that individuals are involved in decisions about their care. One staff member told us, “Assume capacity, support them with decision making and use the least restrictive option.” Where people required additional support, assessments and best interest processes were completed and involved family members, advocates and professionals where appropriate.