Agincare Enable Dorset, based in Portland, received the top rating following a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection in June.
The service provides care and support to people with learning disabilities in supported living settings, helping them live independently in their own homes.
Neil Cox, CQC’s deputy director of adult social care in Dorset, said: “Agincare Enable Dorset is a great example of what outstanding care looks like for autistic people and people with learning disabilities.
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“Our inspectors found staff knew each person as an individual, understood what mattered to them and this made a real difference to their lives.”
The inspection was part of the CQC’s ongoing checks on healthcare quality and used the “right support, right care, right culture” guidance to ensure people with learning disabilities and autistic people receive care that respects their dignity, independence, and personal choices.
The service was rated outstanding for being caring and well-led, with good ratings for being safe, effective, and responsive.
Mr Cox said: “People and their relatives consistently told us about feeling safe, valued, and listened to.
“One relative told us their loved one was happy, safe, and well cared for, and described feeling completely confident in the standard of care being provided.
“Families also told us they’d seen real progress in their loved ones since joining the service, with one relative telling us their family member had grown from strength to strength and made substantial improvements in their motivation and confidence.”
The report highlighted how staff supported individuals to achieve personal goals, such as attending a long-desired concert, and encouraged hobbies and community roles, including gardening, steam trains, and becoming a Dignity Ambassador.
Mr Cox said: “This all came from a leadership team that staff described as approachable and invested in getting things right, and from a workforce that clearly took pride in their work.
“Everyone at Agincare Enable Dorset should be proud of this report, this is a service that put people at the heart of everything it does, and the outstanding rating reflects the real difference that makes to people’s lives.”
Inspectors also noted that staff used a recognised approach to minimise unnecessary medication, supported people in making daily choices, and ensured personal preferences were respected in care planning.
The full report will be published on the CQC’s website in the coming days.
Sonia Allen, Managing Director of Agincare Enable, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Agincare Enable Dorset has been rated Outstanding overall by the CQC, and particularly proud to have achieved Outstanding ratings in both the Well-led and Caring categories. For this to be recognised at the first inspection of a new service is a fantastic achievement for the whole team.
“What makes this recognition particularly special is the feedback from the people we support and their loved ones. Reading about the difference our team is making to people’s lives is incredibly heart-warming and is exactly what our service is here to achieve.
“Every day our team works alongside the people we support to understand what matters to them and enable them to live the lives they choose. Whether that means accessing college, training or employment, developing friendships and social lives, or pursuing hobbies and interests, we want every person we support to have the opportunity to thrive in their community.
“This Outstanding rating also reflects the strong and collaborative relationship we have developed with Dorset Council and the positive outcomes we are achieving together across the community.”