The Care Quality Commission

Archived: Shared Lives

Shared Lives, 3rd Floor Council Offices, 4 Civic Way, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, CH65 0BE (0151) 337 4618

Provided and run by:
Cheshire West and Chester Council

Important: This service is now registered at a different address - see new profile

All Inspections

29 October and 1 November 2012

During a routine inspection

We visited the office for Shared Lives Cheshire West and Chester and met and where able spoke, with people who used the service and their carers.

People who used the service were supported by carers who were self-employed and lived in the local community. Shared Lives assessed suitable carers through a careful selection process followed by a range of training opportunities to develop and enhance their skills. One person who used the service told us: "It's good" when we asked about their care and support.

Carers said that Shared Lives care organisers were able to offer them the support and advice they needed when they needed it. One carer said: "I have had really good support from staff and I see them every three months for supervision which is often enough to be supportive and not so much as to be intrusive to our family life."

One carer said: "I don't like being called a carer really, as 'X' is treated as a member of our family. At the moment this service, (as it has had many names such as family based care), is the best it has ever been and we are lucky, as we have good contact with X's family.'

We also spoke with the Unit Manager and with Shared Lives organisers and Shared Lives social workers in the office. They commented: "Carers provide an excellent service and with support, training and supervision develop their skills further."

The staff we spoke with said they worked as a team but were unsettled as they going through a period of reorganisation.

3, 16 February 2011

During a routine inspection

The people who use the service are supported by carers who are self-employed. The service supports the carers to care and support the people living in the local community.

We spoke to three people who use the service and they said:

'My daily living skills have improved whilst living with my carer'

'I get spoilt to death and I have just had a lovely meal'

'My carer is a wonderful person. I am very happy here'

We spoke with seven carers and they commented:

'I get good support from my organiser'

'I am not able to attend many of the carer meetings as they are usually in the evenings and too far away'

'I get good support from my organiser and I have regular supervision sessions with her'

'Training provided is good and have completed safer handling, first aid and medication awareness. There had also been workshops on Stroke and dementia awareness'

'I enjoy the work, but it is challenging at times. The clients I support have dementia'

'The support I receive from my organiser is second to none. I found the induction training intensive but very good'

'The new manager is very supportive and a gentle person'.

We also spoke with the manager, the service manager, staff team working in the office and other professionals. They commented:

'My line manager is very supportive'

'The service is flexible and very responsive to peoples needs'

'Occasionally people have to wait for a good match'.