Archived: Shared Lives Southend

We saw that people had been fully assessed, taking into account their cultural, religious and individual needs. The service user plans were person centred and reflected people's individuality, choice and preferences. People told us they had written their own service user plan with the support of their relatives. One relative told us, 'My relative has a service user plan and I am a big part of it.'

We saw that the service had good infection control policies, procedures and practices. Shared Lives carers, (staff,) followed the Code of Practice for health and adult social care on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance.

The service had effective recruitment procedures in place. They had carried out all of the appropriate checks before Shared Lives carers started work. Each Shared Lives carer had been approved by the scheme's approval panel.

People's concerns, complaints and comments were listened to and acted upon effectively. The provider had a good complaints system in place which provided people with sufficient information about how to complain.

People received safe, effective and compassionate care from a well led service that responds quickly to their changing needs.

We found that the assessment and matching process was very robust and took into account people's needs and views to ensure the best possible outcome. People using the service had comprehensive care plans in place that they had contributed to.

Carers working for Shared Lives Southend were well trained and supported so that they were able to meet people's needs and support them well.

We found that the service was well run and that people had opportunities to say what they thought about their care and support.