Archived: Shared Lives Scheme - Surrey County Council

We spoke with a care manager and four shared lives carers. They were complimentary about the service, comments included, 'Shared lives staff are very thorough', 'Staff are efficient, highly effective and good at communication' and 'Staff are supportive and flexible'.

Carers had been assessed, approved, trained and monitored by staff. Robust systems ensured people placed through the scheme had their rights respected and their care and welfare needs met. People had been involved in developing the support they needed, their independence and self-confidence promoted. All carers had received training to ensure safe handling of medicines used by the people they cared for.

Records evidenced safe recruitment practices for staff and carers. Relevant checks ensured they were of good character, fit to fulfil their roles and had the necessary skills and experience. We found effective systems for assessing and monitoring the quality and safety of service provision. The views of people placed through the scheme and of other stakeholders had been taken into account.

There were three staff employed at the service at the time of this review. This consisted of the registered manager and two shared lives practitioners. We had discussions with all three members of staff.

We undertook telephone surveys but were able to have contact with two carers, one relative and two people who used the service. Carers are people who provide support in their own homes to people who used the service. They help them to live independent lives whilst receiving any support they may require.

People who used the service told us they were very happy living with their carers. They told us they had their independence whilst receiving support from the carers they lived with. They told us they were well looked after and they made choices in relation to their every day lives. They told us they felt safe living with the carers who looked after them. People and carers told us they had been asked for their views about the service by completing an annual questionnaire for the service.

Staff and carers were provided with the training required that enabled them to carry out their roles.