The examples below provide insight into how other Good or Outstanding rated services are succeeding in this area of inspection.
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Supporting independence through personalised fitness
The provider employed a personal trainer to work with people free of charge, helping them achieve goals that were important to them. Bespoke exercise programmes were developed around each person's individual wishes, abilities and aspirations, ensuring support was tailored to what they wanted to achieve. This personalised approach helped people maintain their health, mobility and independence, enabling them to continue living in their own homes. It also gave people greater confidence to access their local community, meet friends and take part in activities that mattered to them. For some, this represented a lifelong ambition, demonstrating how tailored support enabled people to achieve meaningful goals and live fuller, more independent lives.
Read more about this service here.
Care provider: Catherine Tam Agency
Date published: July 2026
Improving nutrition through slow cooker support
The provider's nutrition champion led an innovative project to improve the nutritional health of older people living at home. As part of a pilot initiative, 12 people were supported to purchase slow cookers and staff worked alongside them to build confidence in using them as part of their daily routines. Staff found that the smell of meals cooking throughout the day helped stimulate people's appetites, encouraging them to eat more regularly. By the end of the project, participants' weights had increased by an average of 7%, demonstrating a measurable improvement in nutritional wellbeing. People spoke positively about the initiative, with one describing themselves as “thrilled” with the support they received, and many continued using their slow cookers after the project ended.
Read more about this service here.
Care provider: Care First 24 Ltd
Date published: July 2026
Supporting health through personalised nutrition and wellbeing
Staff had a detailed understanding of the support people needed to stay healthy and promoted this in ways that respected individual choice and independence. They encouraged people to eat, drink and exercise at their own pace, tailoring support to each person's preferences rather than taking over. For example, staff encouraged physical activity through activities they knew people enjoyed and supported mealtimes in an unhurried, person-centred way. The catering team also played an important role by preparing attractive, high-quality meals and regularly discussing menus with people to ensure they reflected their preferences. Relatives praised the quality of the food and the inclusive roundtable dining experience, which supported both good nutrition and meaningful social interaction while accommodating different levels of need.
Read more about the service here.
Care provider: Burlington Hall Care Home
Date published: July 2026
Encouraging healthier lifestyles through personalised wellbeing plans
The service introduced a personalised “Year of Living Well” calendar to help people develop healthier lifestyles and take greater control of their wellbeing. Each calendar was tailored to the individual's health needs, medical conditions, interests and hobbies, with themes including healthy eating, sleep, heart health and mental wellbeing. Staff worked with people to set personal health goals and recorded their progress, giving them a sense of achievement as they reached important milestones. People also created their own personalised wellbeing journals containing practical tips and activities to support their goals. This personalised approach increased people's understanding of their health, encouraged positive lifestyle choices and empowered them to take ownership of their wellbeing and independence.
Read more about this service here.
Care provider: Creative Support - Teesside Services
Date published: July 2026
Supporting people to maintain a healthy weight
The service empowered people to make informed decisions about their health by providing clear information, personalised support and advocacy. Staff worked alongside people to explain the likely outcomes of different options, enabling them to make choices that reflected their goals and preferences. For example, people were supported to make healthier dietary choices to help maintain a healthy weight, while one person was encouraged to re-engage with exercise classes after withdrawing following the loss of a loved one. Staff also acted as advocates when working with healthcare professionals, ensuring people's views were heard and that they had the information and support needed to make genuine, informed decisions about their care and wellbeing.
Read more about the service here.
Care provider: Edgar Street Residential Home
Date published: June 2026
Preventative healthcare fostering active lifestyles
The provider always supported people to manage their health and wellbeing to fully maximise their independence, choice and control. Staff supported people to live healthier lives and where possible, reduce their future needs for care and support. People had health action plans in place and received an annual health check. Staff worked closely with the local GP practice and a Dr completed a visit to the service once a month, ensuring people received consistent, preventative healthcare tailored to their needs.
People were encouraged to exercise, a recent competition had taken place, which involved people completing a 3-park challenge, attending local parks. People were supported to attend the local gym and in-house movement classes. A person told us, ““I like it here. It's fun and staff treat me good. I need some prompting from the staff otherwise I would stay in bed all day. I go to slimming world. The doctor referred me. I shop around for my slimming world menu and sometimes do the cooking. I have regular meetings, and I can say what I want.” This demonstrated how the provider’s support helped the person build motivation, confidence, and skills to take control of their own health and daily life.
Read more about this service here.
Care provider: Woodways
Date published: June 2025
Proactive health support initiatives
The provider always supported people to manage their health and wellbeing to fully maximise their independence, choice and control. Staff supported people to live healthier lives and where possible, reduce their future needs for care and support. The provider had developed their own guides to support staff to understand best practice guidance, such as blood pressure monitoring in different aged people. They also launched a vital signs initiative and had a ‘Vital Signs Champion’, who was available to monitor both staff and people’s blood pressure and heart rates. This helped identify any potential health concerns to reduce the risk of increased support needs.
Where people lived with specific medical conditions such as diabetes, staff were provided with information on these in the person’s care plan to enable them to deliver appropriate care and to identify the need for any referrals. A professional told us: “Their referrals are timely and accurate to the person’s current needs.” People spoke positively about staff knowledge of health needs, for example a person told us, “The carers know about the SALT (Speech and Language Therapy) review and are very, very careful with his food.”
Read more about this service here.
Care provider: Respectful Care
Date published: June 2025
Advocating for improved health outcomes
The provider always supported people to manage their health and wellbeing to fully maximise their independence, choice and control. Staff supported people to live healthier lives and where possible, reduce their future needs for care and support.
People were supported to access health professionals when needed. Staff advocated for people to make sure they received the health support they required. For example, one person required additional physical support and staff diligently ensured this was pursued with health professionals. The service had successfully advocated for one person to receive health support which had initially been refused. This meant that person was supported towards a better quality of life.
Read more about this service here.
Care provider: Cornerstone At The Park
Date published: June 2025
Promoting independence through healthy living
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. The provider supported people to participate in physical activities and to eat nutritious meals, cooked by care staff in accordance with their dietary needs.
Read more about this service here.
Care provider: Trinity Homecare
Date published: May 2025
Personalised Health Plans
These examples are from multiple providers attending a Skills for Care event looking at practical ways to support people to live healthier lives.
At the heart of every care service is a personalised health plan tailored to each individual’s unique needs, preferences, and goals. These plans ensure that care is meaningful and targeted, whether it’s helping someone manage a chronic condition or supporting their overall well-being.
For example:
- Regular Health Checks: Annual physical health reviews and follow-ups on GP or specialist appointments ensure health issues are identified and addressed early.
- Monitoring Nutrition and Hydration: Staff routinely track weight and fluid intake, encouraging a balanced diet with hydration prompts for those at risk of dehydration.
- Action Plans for Chronic Conditions: Conditions such as diabetes are managed with clear action plans, including blood sugar monitoring, healthy eating advice, and liaising with specialist services.
Practical tools like food diaries and meal planners are commonly used to help individuals make informed dietary choices. These tools help service users see how changes in diet can positively impact their health.
Care provider: Anonymous (multiple)
Date published: December 2024
Encouraging Physical Activity
Physical activity is vital for maintaining mobility, preventing falls, and boosting mental health. Many services offer structured and informal opportunities to exercise, ranging from fun group activities to individualised programmes.
Examples include:
- Group Fitness Classes: Yoga, Zumba, and chair-based exercises are designed for varying abilities, ensuring everyone can participate.
- Walking Clubs and Outdoor Activities: Weekly walking groups or outings to local parks encourage gentle exercise and social interaction.
- Pet Therapy: Some services bring in therapy dogs for residents to walk, combining physical activity with emotional comfort.
- Gardening Projects: Residents can tend to vegetables and flowers in community gardens, which provides light exercise while promoting relaxation.
One supported living service introduced gym memberships for residents, pairing them with staff to build confidence in using gym equipment and creating sustainable fitness routines.
Care provider: Anonymous (multiple)
Date published: December 2024
Mental and Emotional Well-Being
A holistic approach to care means addressing mental and emotional well-being as well as physical health. Care providers create opportunities for social engagement, emotional support, and mental stimulation.
Practical initiatives include:
- One-to-One Emotional Support: Care workers offer dedicated time for conversations, helping individuals express concerns and access additional mental health services if needed.
- Wellbeing Activities: Initiatives like “Fruity Fridays” combine nutrition education with socialising, creating a sense of community while promoting healthier habits.
- Mindfulness and Relaxation: Weekly mindfulness sessions or guided relaxation exercises help individuals manage anxiety and improve mental clarity.
- Family and Community Connections: Regular family visits, outings, and day trips are encouraged to prevent isolation and strengthen social bonds.
One service introduced “mental health champions” among staff, who are trained to spot signs of mental distress and provide immediate support or refer individuals to specialists.
Care provider: Anonymous (multiple)
Date published: December 2024
Promoting Healthier Eating
Food and nutrition are central to promoting healthier lives. Many services engage residents in meal planning, cooking, and even growing their own food to build better relationships with healthy eating.
Practical examples include:
- Healthy Menu Planning: Residents and staff collaborate to design balanced menus using the NHS "Eat Well Plate" as a guide. This ensures meals include plenty of vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains while reducing processed foods.
- Cooking Workshops: Group sessions teach residents how to prepare simple, healthy meals, giving them the skills and confidence to replicate these meals independently.
- Sustainable Gardening Projects: In one residential home, staff and residents maintain a vegetable patch where they grow, harvest, and cook their own organic produce. This project also includes discussions on the health benefits of eating fresh, local produce.
Other services host taste-testing events to introduce new, healthier ingredients, making the process fun and interactive.
Care provider: Anonymous (multiple)
Date published: December 2024
Social Inclusion and Community Engagement
Social interaction is vital for mental health and emotional resilience. Many services focus on connecting individuals with their local communities through structured programmes and informal outings.
Examples include:
- Community Hubs and Groups: Residents are encouraged to join local clubs, such as craft groups, walking clubs, or fitness classes, to make new friends and learn new skills.
- Day Centres: Weekly visits to centres provide opportunities to socialise, enjoy planned activities, and access additional support services.
- Holiday Trips and Outings: One care home organises regular outings to cultural attractions, seaside towns, and countryside locations, providing stimulating experiences outside of the home.
Programmes like the “Care to Connect” initiative focus on mapping each resident’s interests and finding matching community activities, ensuring personal relevance and sustained participation.
Care provider: Anonymous (multiple)
Date published: December 2024
Fostering Independence
Promoting independence is a cornerstone of adult social care. Services focus on empowering individuals to make decisions about their own care, meals, and activities, while supporting them to develop life skills for more independent living.
Practical examples include:
- Self-Chartering Programmes: These prepare individuals for living independently by teaching essential skills like budgeting, shopping, and cooking. One programme involves mock shopping trips where residents plan a meal, purchase ingredients, and prepare the dish with staff guidance.
- Daily Living Skills Support: Staff assist with everyday tasks like managing household chores, attending medical appointments, and organising personal schedules, enabling individuals to build confidence and autonomy.
One supported living provider runs a “circle of progression” initiative, tracking residents’ progress as they take on more independent responsibilities, from managing a weekly budget to organising their own health check-ups.
Care provider: Anonymous (multiple)
Date published: December 2024
Supporting Staff and Collaboration
Behind every successful care initiative is a well-trained and supported team. Many providers prioritise staff development, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to support healthier lives.
Practical examples include:
- Health Coaching Courses: Staff receive training in nutrition, exercise, and mental health support, enabling them to guide residents effectively.
- Team Collaboration: Working closely with multidisciplinary teams (MDTs), including dietitians, physiotherapists, and social workers, ensures individuals receive holistic care.
- Regular Supervisions: Staff have access to supervision and wellbeing programmes to manage their own work-life balance and emotional health, which helps them provide better care.
Some services even bring in guest speakers, such as community health workers or dietitians, to educate both staff and residents on topics like meal planning or managing chronic conditions.
Care provider: Anonymous (multiple)
Date published: December 2024
Innovative and Fun Ideas
Engaging and creative initiatives help individuals adopt healthier habits in enjoyable ways. For example:
- : Residents try new fruits and learn about their health benefits while sharing stories and recipes.
- Gentle Challenges: Services organise friendly competitions such as step counts or group walks to encourage physical activity.
- Dementia Cafés: These offer a relaxed environment for individuals with dementia to socialise and engage in memory-boosting activities.
One residential home uses “taste testing” events to introduce new foods, encouraging residents to broaden their dietary horizons without pressure.
Care provider: Anonymous (multiple)
Date published: December 2024