Always Caring Bromley Limited

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.

At our last assessment we rated this key question good. At this assessment the rating has remained 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. A person told us, “I was involved in setting up my care package and discussed how care should be delivered.” Another person commented, “The family were involved in setting up care and participated in regular reviews.”

Staff completed detailed assessments of people’s needs prior to them using the service. This ensured the service was right for them and could meet their needs safely. Assessments were used to produce care plans which outlined individuals care and support needs, and how best staff could support them. Assessments and care plans covered aspects of people’s health and social care needs, including mental and physical health, social networks as well as individual and diverse needs.

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.

People’s needs, wishes and preferences were documented within their care plans. This ensured staff had accurate and up to date information to meet people’s needs safely and appropriately. Where people required support with eating and drinking, we saw this was recorded in their care plan. People told us they discussed their care and support needs with staff, and any adjustments required to meet their needs were made. A person commented, “We have access to the care plan and discuss it during reviews.”

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 collaborated with other services and professionals to ensure people received effective and timely care. Staff communicated effectively with health and social care professionals such as GP’s and community nurses to ensure any changes in people’s health and well-being were identified quickly and responded to.

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. A person told us, “Carers alert me to concerns, including medication issues and falls, they work alongside health services.” A second person commented, “Staff informed the family when [loved one] became unwell.”

Staff assessed, monitored and recorded information about people’s healthcare conditions, signs of deterioration, and any interventions people needed from staff and health care professionals.

The provider monitored people’s care and support on a regular basis 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. A person told us, “Management maintain regular contact and communicate openly.”

Relatives told us they were asked for their feedback on the service and could always talk to staff and the registered manager at any time. People told us they felt able and confident to speak up if they had any concerns or issues. The registered manager and senior staff conducted staff spot checks and observations of staff working within the community. This ensured care and support people received was safe and delivered to a good standard.

The provider told people about their rights around consent and respected these when delivering person-centred care and treatment. People, and their relatives where necessary, told us they gave their consent to the care and treatment they received. A person said, “Staff are very respectful and mindful of what they're doing.” A second person told us, “Staff adapted how they communicated with [loved one] around meal choices to reduce confusion and anxiety.” A third person commented, “Staff encourage [love one] to remain independent and involved [person] wherever possible.”

Staff provided care in a way which aligned to the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA), and information was provided to people in a way they understood. Staff were able to explain how they gained consent from people. People were supported to have maximum choice and control over their daily lives. When people lacked the mental capacity to make decisions, the provider met with relatives where appropriate to ensure any decisions made, were in the person’s best interests. Staff promoted people's rights and worked within the principles of the MCA. The MCA provides a legal framework for making decisions on behalf of people who may lack the mental capacity to do so for themselves. The Act requires that, as far as possible, people make their own decisions and are helped to do so when needed.