Caremark Thurrock

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 assessed people's needs before care commenced and involved people and, where appropriate, their relatives in the process. Information gathered was used to develop person-centred care plans and risk assessments that reflected people's health conditions, risks, routines, communication needs, preferences, and desired outcomes.

Care records showed assessed risks were reviewed and translated into practical guidance for staff, helping to ensure care was delivered safely and consistently. Records included information about people's physical health, mobility, nutrition, emotional wellbeing, medicines, and any risks associated with their care. Staff were provided with clear guidance on how to support people in line with their assessed needs and preferences.

Relatives told us they were involved in assessments and care planning. One relative said, “Prior to starting care they carried out an assessment. They asked about [person's] needs and what we wanted from the service and what [name] likes and doesn't like.”

The provider planned and delivered people's care and treatment with them, taking account of what was important to them. Care was provided in line with current legislation and evidence-based good practice.

Where people required support with eating, drinking, or meal preparation, this was identified in their care plans, with guidance for staff on how to meet their needs safely and in accordance with their preferences. This helped ensure care reflected people's assessed needs and choices.

Leaders, staff, relatives and health care professionals worked collaboratively to support people and achieve positive outcomes. Staff had access to care records and up-to-date information about people's care and understood the importance of reporting changes in their health or wellbeing.

Relatives spoke positively about communication and involvement in care. One relative said, “We do feel involved as a family in [person's] ongoing care.”

People were supported to maintain and improve their health and wellbeing. Care plans included guidance on areas such as nutrition, hydration, mobility, emotional wellbeing, and long-term health conditions. Staff monitored changes in people's health and escalated concerns when needed to help ensure people received appropriate support.

Records showed people were supported to maintain their independence, engage in meaningful activities, and sustain relationships important to them.

The provider had also introduced initiatives to promote hydration and reduce the risk of dehydration during hot weather, demonstrating a proactive approach to wellbeing.

The provider routinely monitored people's care and treatment to help ensure positive and consistent outcomes. Systems included audits, spot checks, quality assurance processes, and service improvement plans.

Records showed leaders had identified and addressed shortcomings in areas such as governance, care planning, medicines management, and recruitment. Ongoing audits and monitoring supported continuous improvement and strengthened oversight of the service.

The provider also gathered feedback from people, relatives, and staff through reviews and monitoring calls. Relatives consistently told us they felt listened to and would be confident raising concerns if needed. They also spoke positively about outcomes from the care provided. One relative said, "The service has made a positive difference to [person]."

The provider worked within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and involved people, and those important to them, in decisions about their care. Care records included information about capacity, consent arrangements, and the involvement of relatives or representatives where appropriate.

Records demonstrated how consent was obtained and documented, including where representatives signed on behalf of people who were unable to provide a written signature. Staff understood the importance of seeking consent and respecting people's choices when providing care. This helped ensure people remained involved in decisions affecting their lives.