Elborough Care 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 service’s first assessment. This key question has been rated 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. This ensured a care package was created which met their needs and was adjusted as required. A referral checklist was completed to demonstrate all steps had been taken in the admission process. The provider often supported people where other packages of care had broken down or emergency support was required. This meant the provider needed effective systems to manage admissions safely in reduced timeframes.

We reviewed admission assessments which were completed with people’s involvement. People’s past history and exposure to trauma had been considered in their 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 described how to support people using best practice. Staff were trained in these approaches. For example, staff had received training in positive behaviour support and the positive management of violence and aggression to ensure least restrictive practices were used and de-escalation techniques were embedded. A staff member said, “The person I look after has complex needs, I was well equipped to support them.”

People’s nutrition and hydration needs were met. One person said, “They help me with my dinners. Sometimes I help.” The service supported some people with eating disorders. Care plans and risk assessments detailed how this was managed and concerns escalated if required. The service worked in conjunction with a multi-disciplinary team of professionals. A relative said, “They [the provider] work with the psychiatrist and personal assistant. They all make sure [Name of person] is getting the correct support. They work closely all of them.”

People were supported to maintain contact with family and friends, especially if they were living away from their usual area. One person’s information described where they had been living and where they wanted the provider to support them to live to be nearer their social and family network and in area which was familiar to them.

The provider worked well across teams and services to support people. The provider was adept at working quickly and responsively to changes in people’s circumstances. They shared information when people moved between different services. They also provided continuity of care by often supporting people to settle in to new services.

Care plans were thorough and detailed ensuring what was important to the person was clearly explained. Strategies to work positively with the person were described. This included how to observe and manage escalation of behaviours that may cause harm to a person or others.

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. For example, by supporting people to exercise and engage in activities of their interest such as horse riding, walking and swimming.

Families told us staff were well trained in managing people’s health needs and supporting people with their mental health. One family member said, “Staff are trained in epilepsy care.” A relative said, “Staff are well trained. A calm approach to behaviour.”

The provider routinely monitored people’s care and treatment to continuously improve it. They ensured they consistently worked towards positive outcomes that met both clinical expectations and the expectations of people themselves. A health and social care professional said, “[Elborough Care Services] are person-centred and solution focused. They have made a positive difference in this individual’s life.”

Regular care planning meetings were held with people, their families and professionals. This ensured people’s goals were progressed. For example, reducing risky behaviours or accessing the community more frequently. A relative said, “Yes, there is a care plan. I did contribute and [Name of person] contributed."

The provider told people about their rights around consent and respected these when delivering person-centred care and treatment. Care plans described how to approach people to gain consent in their preferred way. Staff ensured people were asked in ways they understood. A relative said, “They talk to [Name of person] and use Makaton signs.”

Relatives told us staff always asked before delivering care, “They ask for her consent first.” Another relative said, “Always [ask consent], if she says no, they back away”. However, one person told us, “They do not do enough asking.”