A3 Care Ltd

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 71 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

The registered manager had processes to ensure people’s care and treatment was effective by assessing and reviewing their health, care, wellbeing and communication needs with them.The person and their family were involved in the assessment of their needs, and support was provided where needed to maximise their involvement. The person’s individual needs had been appropriately assessed and were fully understood by the staff. The relative told us the person’s needs were met and understood by the staff team, and they would be informed of any changes.The person and relative said, “Yes, I have a care plan, it gets updated with me and my [relative]. They ask my opinions and choices always and I can sign my signature” and “[The person] has a care plan in place, it has been reviewed twice. The manager would message me and I am involved with any changes or decisions always.”

The provider planned and delivered the person’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 person received care, treatment and support that was in line with good practice standards and achieved good outcomes for them. The person and relative said, “The manager and staff work well together and are good at sharing any information or concerns, the manager keeps me informed” and “Staff can communicate with other professionals yes; they all do what I want them to do.”The person and their relative had been included in discussions and reviews around their care and how this was to be delivered.The registered manager was motivated to plan and deliver people’s care and treatment, including what was important and mattered to them. They said, “We do an initial assessment…to make sure it is in line with people’s care preference…and making sure they can contact you if they are worried about the care. We refer to NICE and NHS guidelines, to make sure we practice clinically in a safe way. I point staff to the right sources.”The person’s nutrition and hydration needs were met in line with current guidance, and it was managed with staff’s and relative’s support. The person and their relative were positive about the support with meals and choices. They told us, “Meals are no problem, they prepare what I want like, a sandwich or a pre-prepared meal, plenty to drink, I like my tea, not too many snacks” and “The staff manage [person’s] meals if I am not around, they give snacks or put something I have prepared in the microwave…they always ask [person] what they would like and appropriate drinks.”

The registered manager and staff worked and communicated well with the person and their family to share any information or changes between them. The person received care and support from the staff who knew them and their needs well. This meant they received person-centred care that was meaningful to them. Where needed, the registered manager would contact relevant professionals to work together and look after the person.

The registered manager and staff supported the person to manage their health and wellbeing to maximise their independence, choice and control. Staff supported the person to live a healthier life and where possible, reduce their future needs for care and support.The registered manager explained how they supported the person to prevent any deterioration of health and wellbeing. They informed the family if they were to see any changes with the person. They said, “We help navigate the family and [the person] about the care and feed into the service as well. Family will contact the GP and then update us with any new information.”The relative added, “Staff do respond to [person’s] needs, I take [the person] to most appointments.”

The provider routinely monitored the person’s care and treatment to continuously improve it. They ensured that outcomes were positive and consistent. The person had care and support that was co-ordinated, and everyone worked well together.The person added, “Any concerns and I would speak to [my relative] or the manager. I have her number, very good manager, always checking on me…they offer me good care.”Staff supported the person, so they were enabled to live as they wanted to, seeing them as a unique person with skills, strengths and goals. Staff were patient and used appropriate styles of interaction with the person and their family. The registered manager and the staff worked together to use effective approaches to monitor the person’s care and treatment and their outcomes.

The provider told the person about their rights around consent but did not always respect these when delivering person-centred care and treatment. The registered manager explained how they supported the person to remain safe and still be able to go out for a walk. We noted the consent forms were signed by someone who did not have a legal right to do so. We spoke with the registered manager about these consent forms and who could legally sign them. After our site visit, the registered manager provided updated consent forms demonstrating these were reviewed and discussed with the person.The registered manager also informed us all staff received refresher training in MCA and new quarterly audit implemented to check consent documentation.

The person's rights to make their own decisions, where possible, were protected. Staff understood the need to assess people's capacity to help them make decisions. Staff supported the person to make decisions, choices and look after themselves. The person and relative agreed that staff were respectful of the person’s wishes and sought consent as and when needed. They said, “I have heard staff ask [person’s] permission before any personal care is given. [Staff] are good at that and will respect [persons] wishes if they says no but then offer encouragement” and “Staff always ask my consent before any personal care. I need my dignity respected and would not expect them to go against it. My choices are respected always as to the care I want.”