Herefordshire Shared Lives

Updated 26 November 2019

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

The inspection team consisted of one inspector

Service and service type

Herefordshire Shared Lives is a shared lives scheme, they recruit, train and support self-employed shared lives carers (SLC) who offer accommodation and support arrangements for vulnerable adults within their own family homes in the community.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.

During the inspection

We spoke with five people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with eight self-employed shared lives carers (SLC). We also spoke with four office staff including the nominated individual, registered manager, and care co-ordinators. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.

We reviewed a range of records. This included five people’s care records and medication records. We looked at one staff file in relation to recruitment. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records.

Updated 26 November 2019

About the service

Herefordshire Shared Lives is a shared lives scheme which provides people with long-term placements, short breaks and respite care, within shared lives carers (SLC) own homes. At the time of the inspection there were 37 people living with shared lives carers and receiving a registered service.

The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People were cared for by shared lives carers who knew how to keep them safe and protect them from avoidable harm. Peoples risks were assessed, and their plans were being updated to mitigate risks. Safe systems were in place for the management of medicines when people needed support with this. Shared lives carers understood and followed infection control and prevention procedures. Incidents and accidents were investigated, and actions were taken to prevent recurrence.

People's needs were assessed, and care was planned and delivered to meet legislation and good practice guidance. Care was delivered by shared lives carers who were knowledgeable about people's needs and wishes. Their training was in the process of being updated to ensure people continued to benefit from their up to date skills. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

There was innovative use of technology to improve people’s safety and people’s health and well-being outcomes. People were supported to remain safe and were assured by the support of caring assistance from shared lives carers and the management team. People felt involved and supported in decision making. People's privacy was respected, and their dignity maintained.

People were positive about the service and the care provided. The management team were updating people care records to ensure the information provided was up to date for the individual. Suggestions and ideas were acted upon from people, families and shared lives carers. People’s support was flexible to meet their needs. People's concerns were listened to and action was taken to improve the service as a result. When people needed support at the end of their life there was assistance and systems in place to provide quality care.

The management team were open, approachable and focussed on providing person centred care. They had identified where the service needed to improve and develop and were taking steps to undertake this. People were supported by shared lives carers who were valued and listened to and consistently ensured people received quality care. The management team were updating the checks they completed to monitor and improve the quality of the service provided. The management team and shared lives carers engaged well with other organisations and had developed positive relationships. They worked on promoting strong community links to ensure people could access the support they needed.

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

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 10/10/2018 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.