Care Dorset Delivering Over £1m Savings Each Year

Dorset Council’s adult social care provider is returning over £1m a year in savings to Dorset taxpayers, it was revealed this week, with all of Care Dorset services subjected to inspection have been rated ‘Good’ by England’s health and social care watchdog, the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The news was shared by its Chief Executive Officer, Chris Best, to county councillors and officers at its quarterly Shareholder Committee at County Hall.

Care Dorset has delivered over £4.1 million in savings since its launch in October 2022, exceeding its target of £3 million of gross savings by April 2025.

Meanwhile, the only Care Dorset service not to have a CQC ‘Good’ rating, The Lawns in Weymouth, regained the category following fresh inspection in July.

One relative told the CQC: “The new management have turned the place around.”

Care Dorset is a Local Authority Trading Company, wholly owned by Dorset Council but independent of it.

CEO Chris Best said: “One of the reasons Care Dorset was created was to bring about efficiency savings for Dorset Council.

“We’ve done that while improving the quality of the service we offer, ensuring the people we support are at the centre of every decision.

“I’m proud these results and proud of my colleagues, who have chosen to work in a caring profession because they can see the value they bring.”