New Prevention and Early Intervention Team to transform Dorset Council's Adult Social Care

Changes have been made in the way Dorset Council is working with people to provide support for adults to live independently, stay connected to their communities and reduce reliance on long term care.

A new Prevention and Early Intervention team will support people to remain as self-sufficient for as long as possible through a proactive, person-centred approach.

A new Team with a Shared Vision

The team is made up of occupational therapists, social workers and assessment and support coordinators and will work closely with existing social care teams, sharing a vision rooted in early intervention and incremental support.

They aim to identify emerging needs early and provide timely, proportionate support that prevents escalation and reduces the need for long-term statutory involvement.

Julia Ingram, Corporate Director for Adult Social Care Operations, said: "It is really exciting to see this offer for people in Dorset starting. This is about delivering the right support, at the right time, in the right way. We are putting people at the heart of their care and helping them live the lives they choose and ensuring they remain as independent for as long as they are able."

What this means for Dorset residents

The new model is designed to:

* Empower people to live better, more fulfilling lives on their own terms

* Help individuals remain in their own homes and communities they love

* Reduce distress caused by crises, such as falls or emergency hospital admissions

* Support unpaid carers in their vital roles

* Preserve family relationships and promote wellbeing in later life

Support will be delivered in a variety of ways - virtually, face-to-face, or via clinic appointments - depending on individual needs. The team will carry out building independence assessments to understand personal goals and outcomes and use equipment, adaptations, technology enabled care (TEC) and reablement services to help people achieve these goals.

Success stories 

The team is already making a difference. When a 51-year-old man moved into a new home, his mobility challenges made everyday tasks, such as getting in and out of the house, using the stairs and bathing, difficult and risky. Concerned for his safety, his family contacted Adult Social Care.

The Prevention and Early Intervention team quickly arranged a home visit to assess how the environment could be made safer. As a result, simple but effective changes were made to the entrance, staircase and bathroom.

These small adaptations made a big difference. The man was able to move around his home more easily and safely, giving him the confidence to live independently again. His family also felt reassured knowing he was safer and more secure in his new surroundings.

From Fall to full Independence - Remarkable recovery at 91

Upon returning home from hospital following a fall at home, a 91-year-old was finding it difficult to manage essential daily tasks such as washing, dressing and preparing meals and reached out for support.

An assessment was carried out over the phone on the same day, and a tailored reablement plan was put in place. Just two days later, reablement carers began visiting twice daily, offering not only practical help but also encouragement and motivation to increase confidence and regain his skills.

With consistent support and determination, remarkable progress was made and over the course of just three weeks, the resident has regained his confidence, strength and independence.

A Service-wide commitment

The model is being rolled out across the whole of the Dorset Council area, ensuring consistent, high-quality support for adults approaching the need for adult social care.

Dorset Council is committed to creating a more responsive adult social care system, one that puts people first and helps them live the lives they choose.