Barleycombe

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 ensured people’s care and treatment were effective by regularly assessing and reviewing their health, wellbeing, and communication needs with them.

The registered manager explained how they worked closely with family members to share updates, attend appointments, and review support plans together. This collaborative approach helped ensure plans reflected the person’s wishes and benefited from family insight into routines, triggers, and coping strategies, creating consistent and effective support.

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.

A range of assessment tools were used to ensure people’s needs were accurately reflected and understood. Communication needs were assessed, and staff demonstrated effective communication during our assessment.

People were supported to maintain their nutrition and hydration needs. People showed us their weekly menu and told us how they were involved in the planning and how Saturday’s takeaway night has been replaced with a ‘fakeaway’ night to encourage healthier eating. Some people were involved in shopping for their food with staff. A person told us, “I am a fussy eater, but I like a roast dinner; the staff cook the roast on a Sunday.”

A relative told us, “[Person] has a good routine. [Person] shops and is involved in the menu planning choosing what they like. [Person] has a special diet and is slightly overweight. They [staff] have a good plan in place for their condition and I don't worry.”

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 told us they worked well together to meet people’s needs. One staff member said, “People are safe because staff work together as a team.” Staff also worked closely with external professionals to ensure transitions were well coordinated and planned around people’s preferences. The management team collaborated with health and social care professionals to meet people’s needs. Another staff member explained, “Many health professionals come into the building to work alongside us, giving advice which we record on Nourish (Electronic care planner). We support people to attend appointments and share information with all staff. We’ve made referrals to Speech and Language teams (SALT) and dieticians, and people have annual health and medicine reviews.”

This meant people received well-coordinated care from teams who communicated effectively.

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.

People’s health and care needs were monitored and recorded. Care plans contained details of all medical appointments and interventions people had experienced. Relatives told us that staff knew people well and knew their medical support needs. They were able to detect subtle changes in people’s presentation which allowed early interventions to make sure people received the best possible care.

The registered manager told us how staff supported individuals to achieve healthier lifestyles by promoting balanced nutrition, portion control, and gentle physical activity. For example, one person was encouraged to take part in activities such as walking in the garden, swimming, chair-based exercises, and interactive gaming to increase movement. While they enjoyed occasional pub meals with less healthy options, staff adopted a positive risk-taking approach to maintain autonomy and emotional wellbeing rather than restricting choices.

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.

People’s skills, life experience and strengths were discussed with them and those involved in their care, to consider how people’s goals, ambitions and outcomes were planned and achieved. Peoples support was delivered consistently by staff, in a person-centred way specific to their needs. Relatives told us, “They [staff] update me when they come and tell me what [person] has been doing. They let me know if [person] goes to the doctors”, and “They [staff] involve me with [persons] risk assessments, and I go to [persons] meetings. I feel involved and I am listened to, the staff understand [person] well.”

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

Best interest decisions were in place for medication, finance, and day-to-day care. Documentation confirmed individuals received 24-hour support, including personal care and supervision in line with support plans. Decisions covered areas such as locked doors, mail handling, and internet use. Mental Capacity Assessments (MCA) and best interest forms were completed, though some grouped multiple decisions rather than being decision specific. Feedback was shared with the registered manager, who confirmed changes would be made.

Staff had received training in relation to MCA and had a good understanding of MCA and the importance of consent. We observed throughout our visit staff using different forms of communication to gain people’s preferences and choices. A staff member told us, “We ensure people have choices that enrich their lives. Everything is explained clearly, and all options are offered whenever possible. People make their own decisions, and we respect their autonomy."