Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust

On this page

• Overview
• Kindness, compassion and dignity
• Treating people as individuals
• Independence, choice and control
• Responding to people’s immediate needs
• Workforce wellbeing and enablement

This means we looked for evidence that the service involved people and treated them with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.

At our last assessment we rated this key question outstanding. At this assessment the rating has changed to good.

• Young people were involved in planning activities however parents told us more activities away from the ward should be available and that advertised or planned activities were not always carried out. Since our last inspection, the trust had not built upon previous outstanding work to engage with families and incorporate their feedback.
• Young people were supported and treated with dignity and respect.
• Staff really knew the young people and how to meet their individual needs.
• Staff told us they enjoyed working within the ward.

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.

We observed interactions between staff and young people and saw that staff engaged with them in a supportive and respectful manner. Staff provided emotional support and guidance in line with young people’s care and treatment plans. Staff understood young people’s individual needs and were able to adjust their communication and care accordingly.

Young people we spoke with described staff as kind and respectful and that the care met their needs.

We saw ‘Mutual Expectations’ community information added to a wall, with personalised behaviour expectation statements added by staff and young people to help them know and respect each other. For example, “everyone will always try to be respectful to each other,” “we need to all try and follow young people’s care plans consistently,” and “staff to consider removing their name badges and alarms, when escorting young people on leave in the community.” Staff meetings with young people were held to update and keep the expectations relevant.

Staff told us they spent time building relationships with young people and getting to know them and their families. Young people told us that staff engaged with them in activities, which helped build positive relationships.

When we observed weekly care review meetings, we saw that young people were able to share their views in ways that suited them. This included speaking directly, writing their views down or asking staff to communicate on their behalf.

Young people held a weekly community meeting. We saw a recent meeting poster that recorded topics young people had identified for discussion or change on the ward.

We saw a “Tree of Hope” display that included positive messages from both young people and staff.
There was also easy‑read information available to help young people understand sexual orientation. There was a multi-faith room available to the young people. Staff told us that young people could bring in their own food to meet cultural or religious needs.
The building was fully accessible, and a lift was available for young people who required support to access the lower floor of the school area.

Young people had the opportunity to take part in activities off the ward, including local outings such as visits to shops and cafés. Staff had arranged a variety of activities, including sports, outdoor learning and community visits. A trust vehicle was available for staff to support young people to attend activities in the community.

Staff told us about a recent social music and DJ event that young people had planned on the ward that their families had been able to attend.

Staff supported young people to plan weekly or daily activity schedules. We heard examples of how young people contributed ideas and helped prepare for activities, including fundraising events and craft projects.

Managers expected staff to encourage participation in activities and to balance planned sessions with young people’s needs.

Young people held regular community meetings where they could raise topics for discussion with staff.

Families could visit outside school hours and most told us they felt involved and listened to.

However, young people and families gave mixed feedback about the number and range of activities available. Some young people told us the range of activities was limited, and staffing shortages had led to activities being cancelled. Parents told us they would like more activities to be available away from the ward.

We observed staff interacting with young people in a calm and supportive manner. Staff told us they focused on using de‑escalation techniques to reduce the need for physical interventions when young people were distressed or at risk.

Managers were focused on maintaining and strengthening a positive ‘culture of care’ for all staff.

Staff reported their morale was good and many described feeling positive about working within the service and with their team.

Staff said that managers supported them to do their jobs and agreed reasonable workplace adjustments when required to support individual staff needs.