Alpha Care SW Community Services

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. This is the first assessment for this newly registered service. This key question has been rated Good. This meant people’s outcomes were consistently good, and relative’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 service made sure people’s care and treatment was effective by assessing and reviewing their health, care, wellbeing and communication needs with them. People's needs were holistically assessed over a period of time before they received care from the service. Guidance on how to support people with specific needs was incorporated into ongoing assessment of needs. When needs changed so did the assessment and the guidance for staff. Relatives told us and records confirmed their loved ones care was planned and delivered by staff who were well trained and knowledgeable about people's individual care and support needs. Comments included, “There was a care plan made, and we were involved. The care plan was reviewed formally and that’s done regularly. Any small changes needed are looked at as we go along . Risk assessments were done, and we had a lot of discussions as part of care planning including the views of healthcare professionals”, “They did a care plan in very great detail over several meetings. I was asked about (persons) preferences and routines. We jointly worked out how things would be done. I have a copy at home and can see it on the electronic system. We did a review last year and one three months ago. They ask for feedback and if anything needs to change” and “We do have a care plan. The Registered manager did a three month review and went through the activities that (person) had done. Everything had been logged. It was impressive. If you set a high standard from the start, it infiltrates through to the staff”.

The service always 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. They worked to develop evidence-based good practice and standards. For example, the service ensured people’s distress was not controlled by excessive and inappropriate use of medicines. Staff understood and implemented the principles of STOMP (stopping over-medication of people with a learning disability, autism or both). The manager met with people and relevant professionals to gather important information about health conditions and care needs.

The service 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. People’s care records contained documents which they could take with them to hospital or healthcare appointments. These documents contained important information about people’s care and communication needs, including personal details, the type of medication people were taking, and any pre-existing health conditions.

The service supported people to manage their health and wellbeing to maximise their independence, choice and control. The service supported people to live healthier lives and where possible, reduce their future needs for care and support. Relatives told us people were supported to live healthier lives through regular access to specialist health care professionals and G.P’s. Comments included, “Staff come happily with me to help when we go to appointments”, “(Person) wears special boots and staff will get them changed” , “Staff go with (person) to the chemist and to take them to the doctor” and “Staff ring up the wheelchair maintenance people for repairs.” There were systems in place to ensure people living with epilepsy were supported effectively. Seizures were monitored and recorded so that any increase or decrease were reported to epilepsy specialists.

The service routinely monitored people’s care and treatment to continuously improve it. They ensured outcomes were positive and consistent, and they met both clinical expectations and the expectations of people themselves. People were actively supported and empowered to develop new skills. A relative we spoke with described how the service had supported a person to move towards independent living. People experienced positive outcomes whilst being supported by the service. Where people became distressed, staff fully understood their needs, triggers and how to support them and deescalate situations. We saw examples of how people’s lives had been improved this included reducing people’s distress. One relative we spoke with described how staff had effectively supported a person, which resulted in their distress being greatly reduced .

The service told people about their rights around consent and respected these when delivering person-centred care and treatment. Care plans contained evidence that consent to care documents had been sought from people or their legal representatives. Staff understood their responsibilities and the principles of The Mental Capacity Act 2005. One staff member we spoke with told us, “Do not assume people do not have capacity, just because they have made an unwise decision, try and support them in this and give them all the information they may need. Another staff member said, “If a decision has to be made for one of the individuals it will always be made in their best interests. We work closely with our individuals and their families. We know them well and will always want the best for them. We will always work in their best interests, always” .