Mencap – Dorset Support Service

“Mencap Dorset Support Service supports 2 different Assessment Service Groups (ASGs). The location is registered to support people with homecare and supported living. This report reflects our assessment of the supported living only. At the time of our assessment there were 3 people receiving the regulated activity of personal care.”

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“Who the service is for”

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“This is a specialist service for younger adults, older adults with learning disabilities. We have assessed the service against ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ guidance to make judgements about whether the provider guaranteed people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices, independence, and good access to local communities that most people take for granted.”

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“Key findings”

“We carried out this assessment on 20 July 2026. This service was previously rated as good. We carried out this assessment to confirm whether the rating of good remains accurate. This report does not provide detailed information on areas where we found practice continues to meet a good standard. Instead, our findings focus on any areas where the service needs to improve or where we found exceptional practice.”

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“People were supported by enough safely recruited staff who had the skills and knowledge to provide effective support. Staff consistently spoke positively about the training and support available to them, with one saying, “We do a mix of in person and online training and competency checks. It’s very good and detailed.” Another staff member described their induction as “exceptional” and said, “Mencap’s training was a revelation.””

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“People received their medicines when they needed them and staff told us they had been supported to improve their confidence and knowledge in this area. We observed staff supporting people safely with a person-centred approach that was consistent with information in people’s support plans, which people and their relatives also confirmed.”

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“Medicines were administered safely, with clear protocols in place to guide staff on when to administer ‘as required’ medicines. Regular medication audits were completed and identified areas where improvements could be made.”

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“Care plans were developed with people and, where appropriate, their families, and contained relevant information about their care, support needs and interests. This helped ensure people were supported according to their individual needs by staff who were caring, compassionate and familiar to them.”

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“People were supported by a consistent key worker who knew them well and understood their individual needs, preferences and goals. This helped to build trusting relationships and ensured people received personalised support that reflected what was important to them.”

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“Staff understood their responsibilities to safeguard people from abuse and were knowledgeable about what concerns to report and who to report them to. Risk assessments were in place to support people safely with their health conditions, and the service manager reviewed support plans to ensure they contained relevant information to manage and mitigate risks.”

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“Relatives told us people were supported effectively to manage health risks and maintain their wellbeing. Staff used guidance within care records to provide safe and consistent support.”

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“The culture of the service was focused on maximising people’s independence and enabling them to live full and meaningful lives. People were offered choice and control over their daily lives, including the activities they took part in, the people they spent time with and how they received their care and support.”

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“People were treated with dignity and respect, and staff listened to and acted upon their wishes and preferences. The…”