Dorset Council's local authority trading company, Care Dorset, has had special reason to celebrate at Christmas following a successful first year of operation.

Managing director Chris Best said: "Our focus is on helping people to become, or remain, as independent as possible. That means delivering care in a range of settings, and working with the people we support to get them the best possible outcomes.

"The challenges facing the social care sector make headlines every day, but we still have a job to do - and Care Dorset will keep innovating to deliver the best possible service."

Last December, Care Dorset opened an extra 20 beds to support Dorset NHS and help ensure people are free to leave hospitals as early as possible through a bedded reablement service.

In the summer, Care Dorset opened Castleman Plus in Blandford Forum with an additional 12 beds.

In addition to these services, Care Dorset also made progress in its delivery of community reablement - providing help and support to people in their homes. This has grown by 30%, meaning 3,425 hours of care in 2023 compared with 2,400 in 2022.

Care Dorset also provides residential care, and we have seen improved occupancy levels from 76% at point of transfer in October 2022, to more than 90% one year later.

Councillor Jane Somper, Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care, Health and Housing, welcomed the progress made by Care Dorset over the past year: "We have many things to celebrate, but we also still have much work ahead of us.

"I am pleased and proud of the progress that has been made which is enormous in many ways. I am encouraged by the real sense of optimism, enthusiasm and creativity across adult services for what is possible and what will be coming in the year ahead."