Helping Hands Cambridge

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. Comprehensive assessments were completed prior to people using the service and care plans were updated regularly. Relatives told us they felt their family members’ needs had been carefully considered and continued to be met as things changed. A family member told us about how the review of their relative’s care plan was “constantly ongoing” and was updated as their needs changed. This showed assessments were not a one‑off event but continually informed care planning.

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. Care plans reflected best practice guidance, and daily records showed care was delivered consistently. The care planning system also identified risks such as if a person may have a higher risk of falls or require support to maintain skin integrity. This helped to ensure people maintained their health and wellbeing and mitigate any potential risks.

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. There was a collaborative approach to planning and coordinating people’s care and treatment. Information was shared appropriately with other services and agencies involved in people’s care. Documented evidence confirmed staff followed the guidance provided by healthcare professionals.

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. Records showed, and people confirmed, that staff supported them to maintain their health and wellbeing by accessing healthcare services and following advice from professionals. One relative told us that staff were “very careful and diligent” in how they supported their family member to manage their health conditions.

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. Relatives reported positive outcomes for people, including feeling safe and well supported. The provider consistently monitored outcomes and used feedback to improve care and quality of life. Regular reviews and audits were completed, and feedback from people and relatives informed changes and improvements. Family members described staff as “proactive” and “responsive” to people’s changing needs.

The provider told people about their rights around consent and respected these when delivering person-centred care and treatment. The provider had systems and processes that ensured the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) was followed effectively, to support people who lacked capacity to make specific decisions about their care. Mental capacity assessments and best interest decisions were completed where required. Staff had received training in the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and understood its principles. People, and their relatives confirmed staff always sought consent and respected people’s choices.