Archived: Shared Lives at Bolton

During the inspection we looked at consent to care and treatment, care and welfare, cooperating with other providers, quality assurance and records.

This is a summary of what we found, using evidence obtained via speaking with staff, speaking with people who used the service and their carers and looking at records:

Is the service caring?

We spoke with two people who used the service. One person told us, 'The meals are lovely ' I enjoy the food. X (the Shared Lives worker) comes out to see you and asks if you are OK or have any problems. I would tell X if I had any problems'. The other person said, 'I am very happy with my carers, very happy indeed. I love it'.

We spoke with four carers. One said, 'They (the Shared Lives workers) have always been there when I've needed them'. Another told us, 'There is always someone available to speak to if you need to. The On Call gets back to you within five to ten minutes and they will come out if you need them'.

Questionnaires were sent out to people who used the service on an annual basis. These were presented in simple language and we were told that people would be assisted to complete them if they required help. We looked at the analysis of the most recent questionnaires which indicated a high level of satisfaction.

Is the service responsive?

The service made an effort to match people up with carers with whom they would be compatible and who would be able and willing to meet their particular needs. Introductions were made gradually and carefully, beginning with short visits, to enable people to get to know each other and to give carers and people who used the service the opportunity to make an informed decision about whether this was the right placement for them.

People's mental capacity was taken into consideration with regard to decision making and care was taken to ensure they were assisted to make their own decisions where possible. If this was not possible, best interests meetings were held, with relevant involved people and professionals to help ensure decisions were made in the person's best interests.

There was evidence within the care records that the service responded to people's changing needs and updated the support plans appropriately.

Emergencies were responded to as necessary. One person told us the service had facilitated emergency care for the person they cared for when the carer had a personal situation to deal with.

Is the service safe?

Risk assessments were in place in the care records. These risk assessments were reviewed and updated regularly to ensure people's needs were met safely.

The assessment period for carers was undertaken over a four to six week period and potential carers were given training to a high standard. DBS checks were undertaken to help ensure people were suitable to work with vulnerable people.

A panel was in place to advise the service on approval of new carers and the continuing approval of existing carers. The panel helped quality assure the assessment process.

A Complaints policy was in place and people were aware of how to make a complaint. Shared Lives workers regularly visited people who used the service and their carers to ask if everything was alright.

One person with whom we spoke told us, 'I feel safe and they look after me'.

Is the service effective?

People who used the service were involved in the content of their support plans. People with whom we spoke felt their needs were being met and said they were happy with their placements. There was evidence that their interests, preferred activities and hobbies were supported.

Carers were positive about the support they received for their roles. They felt they were able to access advice and help at any time and this in turn helped them to provide a more effective care package.

Is the service well-led?

There was a registered manager in place who was appropriately registered with CQC.

The manager regularly added information to an electronic management programme so that issues such as complaints, accidents and safeguarding incidents could be monitored and analysed for trends and patterns. The manager monitored all incidents and any learning points were addressed with staff at team meetings.

Audits and checks were in place to continually oversee files, equipment and systems.

The manager demonstrated a commitment to continuous service improvement via their involvement with Shared Lives services in other areas. They had undertaken to look at differences and similarities in working practices, sharing knowledge and skills and learning from each other in order to provide a more consistent and better national service.