Bennett House

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 since it changed provider in September 2023. 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 thoroughly assessed before they began using the service, ensuring the service could meet their individual requirements. Assessments were holistic and considered a wide range of needs, including physical health, mental wellbeing, communication, nutrition, mobility, and social preferences. Information gathered during assessments was used to develop detailed and personalised care plans, which provided clear guidance to staff on how to meet people’s needs effectively. Care plans reflected people’s current needs and were regularly reviewed and updated to ensure they remained accurate and responsive to change. A relative told us, “I am fully involved in the care [person] receives. Their care plan is regularly reviewed and the staff regularly ask me if I am happy with everything.”
 

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 tools were used to assess risks such as skin integrity, falls, eating and drinking, managing behaviours and health conditions. Where risks were identified, a plan of care was in place to manage and mitigate risks to people. People’s outcomes were regularly monitored, and care was reviewed to ensure it remained effective. The service worked in partnership with external healthcare professionals, including GPs, nurses, and specialist services, to ensure people received appropriate and timely support. Recommendations from professionals were clearly recorded in care plans and implemented in practice. For example, a relative told us, “The kitchen staff follow the recommendations made by the speech and language team and make sure any meat is blended.”
 

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 together as a team to deliver coordinated and consistent care. There were clear communication systems in place, including handovers, care records, and regular staff meetings, which ensured important information about people’s needs and any changes in their condition was shared appropriately. Staff demonstrated a good understanding of their roles and responsibilities, and there was a collaborative approach to meeting people’s needs. Team members supported each other and worked cohesively to ensure care was delivered in a timely and responsive way. The service worked in partnership with a range of external professionals, including GPs, district nurses, and other healthcare specialists, to support people’s health and wellbeing. Referrals were made promptly when needed, and professional advice was followed and incorporated into care plans. A health care professional said, “There is a positive working relationship and shared focus on patient care.”
 

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 were provided with a healthy and varied diet with choices for every meal. One person said, “The food is lovely.” People were offered a choice of snacks and drinks throughout the day. The lunchtime experience was relaxed, and we observed staff providing encouragement and support in a person-centred way. For example, sitting with people and showing them the plated menu options. People were supported to maintain and improve their health and well-being. Records showed systems were in place to monitor people’s health, and staff responded promptly to any changes in condition. For example, the registered manager noticed a rapid decline in a person’s health following a change in their medication. They requested input from the GP who reinstated the medicines. People were supported with nutrition, hydration, and physical well-being in line with their needs and preferences.
 

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.

There were systems in place to monitor people’s outcomes and to assess the effectiveness of care and support. Regular reviews of care plans and risk assessments were undertaken to ensure they remained accurate and reflective of people’s current needs. A local GP and other professionals visited the home when required to monitor, review and assess the health care needs of the people who lived there. Staff recorded and reported changes in people’s health and well-being, enabling timely action to be taken where concerns were identified. Outcomes were monitored through a range of methods, including daily records, reviews, and feedback from people and those important to them. This information was used to make appropriate adjustments to care and support, ensuring positive outcomes were maintained and risks were reduced.
 

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

We observed those people who were able, moving freely around their environment choosing where they wanted to spend their time which was respected by staff. Staff had been trained about the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and understood the importance of respecting people’s wishes. There were systems in place to ensure those making decisions about the care and support people received had the legal authority to do so. Deprivation of Liberty (DoLS) authorisations and applications were in place for people who required this level of support to keep them safe and meet their needs.