Local Homecare

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 71 (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 did not consistently ensure that people’s care and treatment were effective, largely due to incomplete and inconsistent recording of people’ health, wellbeing, and communication needs. Care records often lacked the inclusion of the person’s own voice and, where appropriate, the perspectives of family members. Although care plans were developed using initial assessments from the referring agency, the provider also carried out independent assessments to determine whether they had the appropriate staff and skills to meet each person’s needs. However, these assessments did not always translate into detailed and person-centred care plans.

Care plans did not always clearly outline people’s communication preferences. For example, one person responded positively to being spoken to in a cheerful and uplifting manor. However, this was not documented within their care planning meaning guidance was not available for staff. This meant there was potential for missed opportunities to enhance the persons experience and wellbeing.

We did not look at Delivering evidence-based care and treatment during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Effective.

We did not look at How staff, teams and services work together during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Effective.

We did not look at Supporting people to live healthier lives during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Effective.

We did not look at Monitoring and improving outcomes during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Effective.

The provider demonstrated an understanding of the importance of consent and made efforts to inform people of their rights in this area. People told us their choices were respected by staff. One person told us, “I tell them what I want, and they do what I want. They respect my wishes, also what I don’t want. They always say it’s your choice and it’s what you want.” This feedback reflected a culture of respect and autonomy within the service.

Care plans included capacity assessments, and where people were assessed as lacking capacity, decisions relating to their care were made in their best interests. Staff confirmed they had received training on the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and demonstrated a sound understanding of its principles. One staff member told us, “They have the right to refuse, decide what they want, have got to gain their consent. We have to respect their decisions and can't force them.” This approach supported people’s rights to make informed choices and ensured that care was delivered in a way that upheld their dignity and independence.