Shared Lives

On this page

• Overview
• Person-centred Care
• Care provision, Integration and continuity
• Providing Information
• Listening to and involving people
• Equity in access
• Equity in experiences and outcomes
• Planning for the future

Responsive – this means we looked for evidence that the provider met people’s needs.

This is the first assessment for this service. This key question has been rated Good. This meant people’s needs were met through good organisation and delivery.

This service scored 75 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

The provider made sure people were at the centre of their care and treatment choices, and they decided, in partnership with people, how to respond to any relevant changes in people’s needs. Support plans were seen to be person centred, and people and their carers were consulted about any changes needed to the support plans. People were supported by the shared lives carer they were housed with and consistent wider team, who knew them well. Shared lives carers understood people’s needs and preferences, and care and support were delivered in line with their choices.

The provider understood the diverse health and care needs of people and their local communities, so care was joined-up, flexible and supported choice and continuity.

People’s needs were clearly identified in their support plans and there were good links with health and care services. People were linked in with other professionals required to meet their needs such as the local mental health team or district nursing. We received very positive feedback from people and their relatives. One relative/person said “The service is very responsive, and all the staff are well trained and good at their job.”

The provider supplied appropriate, accurate and up-to-date information in formats that were tailored to individual needs. Information was shared and people were involved in developing their care and support. People’s individual communication needs were assessed, regularly reviewed and documented in their support plans to ensure needs were met. People and their shared lives carers raised no concerns about how they were supported to receive information. They told us communication was very good. A relative said, “The staff are very efficient, and we get updated with anything we need to know. If we want to talk to them we know we can always just call or email".

The provider made it easy for people to share feedback and ideas, or raise complaints about their care, treatment and support. Staff involved people in decisions about their care and told them what had changed as a result. People knew who to contact if they needed to make or raise any concerns and they all felt they were listened to, and any issues were acted on. A shared lives carer told us, “The service is very accommodating, they listen to me and help me provide flexible care, which allows me to have some time to myself, should it be necessary. This brings balance in my life.” In response to feedback via a survey, the registered manager tried to create a sense of community, by putting events such as coffee mornings in place for shared lives carers.

The provider made sure people could access the care, support and treatment they needed when they needed it. The service worked in partnership with other local health and care services to ensure people’s needs were met and people’s human rights were promoted. Initial assessments undertaken by the registered manager and shared lives social workers identified if the service could meet people’s needs. People had appropriate aids and equipment in place to support their care needs at home, whether this be mobility aids recommended by occupational therapy, or their rooms being personalised to meet sensory needs, as recommended by social workers.

Staff and leaders actively listened to information about people who are most likely to experience inequality in experience or outcomes and tailored their care, support and treatment in response to this. People told us they received the correct care and support. Policies and procedures were in place which supported equality, diversity and human rights. Staff received training in equality and diversity, which ensured staff had appropriate awareness, skills and knowledge.

People were supported to plan for important life changes, so they could have enough time to make informed decisions about their future, including at the end of their life. People’s support plans reflected their wishes, and evidenced they had been involved in discussions around planning for the future. People's preferences were documented. We also saw involvement from specialist nurses to provide advice and support.