Archived: Sharing Care - Community Short Breaks Scheme

This is the first inspection for this service at their current address.

Sharing Care - Community Short Breaks Scheme is a domiciliary care service. The service provides flexible personal care and support to families with children who live with a physical disability, learning disabilities, or autistic spectrum disorder and who live in their own houses and flats in the community. The aim of the service is to provide support when families need it, at weekends, evenings and in the school holidays.

At the time of this inspection the service was providing support to eighteen children and their families.

The outcomes for children using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support; promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. For example, children's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

Not everyone using Sharing Care - Community Short Breaks Scheme receives a regulated activity; CQC only inspects the service being received by people provided with ‘personal care’; help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also take into account any wider social care provided.

The service is required to have a registered manager in place. A manager was in post who had submitted their application to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for approval. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Systems and processes were in place to help protect children from avoidable abuse. Families of children receiving the service told us they felt their children were safe from abuse and with the staff who supported them.

Enough staff supported children to meet their needs safely and in a person-centred way. There were enough staff on duty to meet people’s needs. People confirmed they received care and support from regular care workers who they knew.

Accidents and incidents were appropriately recorded and personalised risk assessments had been completed. Staff had access to information to provide children with safe care and support without unnecessary restrictions.

We found that safe recruitment and selection procedures were in place and appropriate checks had been undertaken before staff commenced their role.

The provider had systems and process in place to ensure staff were appropriately recruited into the service. Staff received appropriate induction, supervision, support and training to acquire and update their skills to meet people’s individual needs and fulfil their roles.

Information was produced in formats appropriate for the child and their families to understand and communicate their needs.

Consent to care and support was sought in line with legislation and guidance. The provider worked within the frameworks of The Children Act 1989 and subsequent legislation to work with parents who had parental responsibility.

The provider included children and their families in discussions regarding their health and wellbeing. Any positive behaviour support plans were evaluated and included input by appropriate health professionals for effectiveness.

Staff had access to information to ensure children were supported with their health and wellbeing including any dietary requirements. The provider was developing a single point of access care plan with information for staff to follow and evaluate in one document.

Staff had a good understanding of children's needs and were kind and caring. They understood the importance of respecting children’s dignity and upholding their right to privacy.

There was information available on how to express concerns and complaints. Families were supported to raise their concerns and processes were in place to ensure these were responded to.

Children were supported to live fulfilled meaningful lives. Information was available to ensure children could access the community, events, and activities with minimal restrictions in a planned way for their maximum benefit and enjoyment.

The provider delivered the service with regard to relevant legislation. For example, The Children Act 1989 and subsequent legislation.

Staff told us they felt supported by the manager and were comfortable raising any concerns.