Social care capacity constraints are commonly known to Local Authorities, and finding a solution to these problems in a systematic way is often easier said than done. Such constraints can mean that individuals who are recognised as needing homecare support are unable to receive a package of care. To try and address these issues Dorset Council designed and implemented a Home Care Optimisation programme, which covered four project areas:<\/p>\n
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- Brokerage process – identifying and developing improvements to reduce the time taken to arrange a package of care<\/li>\n
- Zonal optimisation – providers working collaboratively to make best use of capacity<\/li>\n
- Technology enabled care – allowing some care visits to be completed virtually to reduce travel time and promote independence<\/li>\n
- Trusted practice – delegation of authority to providers to enable completion of annual reviews<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
What are the service user benefits?<\/h2><\/div>
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Reduction in the time to place a package of care<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
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\nImproved consistency and completeness of information provided to providers<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
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\nFreed up capacity to allow support for those on the waiting list<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
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\nIncrease in the number of providers who are part of the Dorset Care Framework<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
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\nDevelopment of a robust training programme for homecare providers<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
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\nImproved decision making for the management of existing care packages<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>
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![](\"https:\/\/ourdorset.org.uk\/innovation\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/HCO-pixabay.jpg\" "\\"HCO")
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