Archived: Oxfordshire Shared Lives Scheme

The Oxfordshire Shared Lives Scheme arranged full time placements and short breaks primarily to people with learning disabilities. Some people with mental health needs and some older people also use the scheme. The scheme employs social workers and administrative staff to manage the scheme's activities.

People and Shared Lives carers we spoke with were complimentary about the service. People told us that they were satisfied with their care arrangements. They felt part of their carer's family life and the community they lived in. One person told us 'we often do things together. Go to the shops or just watch telly'. Another person told us 'my carers understand that I like to do things with them but I also like to do things by myself. So I go out with my friends when I want to'.

We found that people's needs were assessed prior to a care arrangement being agreed. Care was planned and delivered line with person centred plans. Carers we spoke with understood people's support needs and preferences. One carer told us 'two people live with me. They are very different one is outgoing and the other one likes to spend time alone. We have had to adjust as a family to make sure we find a balance between going out and staying in'.

People who used the service were protected from the risk of abuse. The scheme provided training to carers and scheme staff to ensure that they could identify the possibility of abuse and prevent abuse from happening. Safeguarding investigations were undertaken in line with local safeguarding arrangements.

Carers and scheme staff received regular supervision and annual appraisals. Carers felt supported by the scheme and told us that scheme workers responded quickly to their requests for support.

The scheme managed an effective complaints process. People and Shared Lives Carers knew how to raise a complaint. Agencies were available to support people and Shared Lives carers through the complaints process. We found that the scheme fully investigated complaints. The investigation outcome was reviewed and agreed by the scheme's Assessment and Scrutiny panel to ensure that the investigation was undertaken in line with the scheme's complaint's procedure.

We saw that the service made sure that people gave their consent to the care before it was provided. People told us 'we make our own choices' and said 'they always get my permission for everything.'

The service met people's individual needs. People told us that they loved where they lived and said they 'had a very good life'.

People were helped with their medication appropriately.

Staff and carers were recruited as safely as possible. All the necessary checks were completed before they were allowed to work directly with people.

The records held by the scheme were accurate and enabled staff and carers to look after people in the way they preferred. They also ensured that people's care could be monitored and that they were being cared for in the most appropriate way.