Abbots Care Limited (East Dorset branch)

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.

People’s care records showed assessments were undertaken prior to using the service and care plans, including risk assessments, were compiled and reviewed at regular intervals.
Care plans were detailed and referred to relevant areas dependent upon people’s current care and support needs. For example, care plans included keeping a check on skin integrity and using preventative measures to mitigate the risk, for those who may be at risk of pressure ulcers developing. Care records also included details of other health and care professionals involved with people’s continuing care.
 

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.

The management team demonstrated an understanding of best practice guidance, including Right Support, Right Care, Right Culture. The registered manager was able to give examples of some improvements they had made to reflect best practice. For example, improvements were made to support an individual with specific health and nutritional needs, ensuring their care was person-centred and evidence based.

Staff knew people well and used communication techniques that suited each individual, ensuring support was delivered in a way they understood.

Where required, the service liaised with health professionals to ensure people were receiving the correct support with their food and nutrition and care plans were updated accordingly.

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.

Health and social care professionals reported positive experiences of working with Abbots Care East Dorset and described open, effective communication that helped ensure people received high-quality care. Feedback included, “The care agency is responsive if I raise any concerns about the person they support, or if care plans change and additional training is required. Communication is good and I have no concerns,” and “They maintain strong communication channels and are very client centred.”
Staff and the registered manager demonstrated a clear understanding of people’s care and support needs. Care was delivered in line with best practice and tailored to meet individuals’ specific requirements.

Records showed that people were supported with food and drink in accordance with their preferences and dietary needs. Staff spoke positively about the way information was shared within teams, explaining that this supported the delivery of safe, consistent, and person-centred care.
 

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.

Relatives told us people were supported to eat healthy diets. One relative told us, “They are very good, prompt with healthy food choices they are very good at that.”

Records confirmed for those who required dietary adjustments, staff monitored food choices, prepared meals in ways that supported safe eating, and managed SALT intake in line with health guidance.

Relatives told us people were encouraged to participate in activities that supported their physical and emotional wellbeing. They told us the current staff team made sure people had opportunities to be active, make choices and engage in the community in ways that suited them.
One relative said, “They give [person] a lot of choice; they don’t put too much pressure on [person]. They make [person] feel they have a hand in their own care”.
 

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.

Records showed staff regularly communicated with people and their families, maintained daily notes, and shared care updates. This supported the early identification of changes in people’s health, independence, or daily routines and ensured information was shared promptly so staff could respond to emerging needs.

Ongoing monitoring enabled timely involvement from healthcare professionals. For example, changes in a person’s behaviour were recognised and escalated to their GP, leading to the identification and treatment of a health condition and subsequent improvements in the person’s wellbeing.

Staff also monitored people’s progress in areas such as communication, personal care, and daily living skills. Individuals were supported to develop greater independence through small, achievable goals. These developments were shared, enabling the wider team to acknowledge progress and continue to encourage positive outcomes.
Care staff consistently stated they would raise any concerns about changes in people’s care and support needs. They were confident concerns would be taken seriously and acted upon by the leadership team.
 

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

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 (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 supported to do so when needed.
Where a person lacks capacity to make specific decisions, any made on their behalf must be the
least restrictive and in their best interests. People’s rights had been upheld, and where people lacked capacity to make specific decisions, mental capacity assessments were carried out in
accordance with the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. However, we found inconsistencies in the completion of consent and best interest documentation. The management
team responded to this immediately to ensure all information was up to date. Staff demonstrated
a clear understanding of their responsibilities in supporting people to make informed choices about their care and treatment. Staff described how they sought consent throughout routine care, such as during personal care, meal preparation, and activities. They told us they encouraged people to participate as much as possible and respected their choices.

When people were unable to express consent verbally, staff relied on their knowledge of each person’s communication style and behaviour to understand their preferences.
People confirmed they were asked for their consent and offered choices. A relative confirmed staff were very friendly and always asked for consent, “They try to do that all the time, and they explained things to [person], they are always very jolly and laugh and smile with [person].”