We carried out a review of the data available to us about Oxfordshire Shared Lives Scheme on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Oxfordshire Shared Lives Scheme, you can give feedback on this service.
The Shared Lives Scheme is responsible for approving, training and monitoring 'shared lives carers' who provide personal care and support to people (on placements), living with them in their family home. At the time of this inspection the Scheme employed 8 social workers and had 74 approved 'shared lives households' who supported 124 people in placements. At the time of our inspection 33 people were receiving the regulated activity of personal care.
Not everyone using Oxfordshire Shared Lives Scheme receives regulated activity; CQC inspects the service being received by people provided with ‘personal care’; help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also take into account any wider social care provided.
People’s experience of using this service:
Oxfordshire Shared Lives Scheme is an extraordinary service which invites people regardless of their care needs to share both family and community life with others. The service is designed to carefully match people to households which in turn contributes to creating a 'personal touch' and a strong, visible person-centred approach. People were truly respected and valued as individuals; and empowered as partners in their care in an exceptional service. The shared lives team recognised and worked with people to reduce social isolation, they were particularly sensitive to times when people needed caring and compassionate support.
There was sufficient number of safely recruited shared lives carers and shared lives workers to keep people safe. People received their medicines as prescribed. Risks to people’s well-being and individual conditions were recorded and updated as required. The management team ensured any lessons learnt were reflected to improve the service and experience for people.
Staff and shared lives carers understood their responsibilities to identify and report all concerns in relation to safeguarding people from abuse. Staff and shared lives carers had completed safeguarding training. Staff had access to effective supervision. Shared lives carers were also positive about the support they received from the team of social workers.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and shared lives carers supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. Both shared lives workers and shared lives carers were aware of the principles of the Mental Capacity Act. People were supported to access health professionals and any advice received was incorporated into people’s care planning process. People were encouraged to maintain good diet and nutrition.
People received support that met their assessed needs and in line with their care plans. People and their shared lives carers knew how to raise any concerns and told us any concerns were promptly addressed. No people received end of life support at the time of our inspection, people’s end of life wishes where appropriate had been recorded.
Staff spoke positively about the support they received from the registered manager. People and staff complimented the management team and told us they were accessible and approachable. There was a clear staffing structure, staff were aware of their roles and responsibilities and had opportunities to develop in their roles. There were a number of effective quality assurance systems that supported continuous development. The service worked well with other partners, organisations and commissioners and the feedback we received from external professionals about Oxfordshire Shared Lives Scheme was very positive.
Rating at last inspection:
Good (report published 21 November 2016)
Why we inspected:
This was our scheduled, planned inspection based on previous rating.
Follow up:
We will monitor all intelligence received about the service to inform the assessment of the risk profile of the service and to ensure the next planned inspection is scheduled accordingly.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
The Shared Lives Scheme is responsible for approving, training and monitoring ‘shared lives carers’ who provide personal care and support to people (on placements), living with them in their family home. At the time of this inspection the Scheme employed 10 social workers and had 68 approved ‘shared lives households’ who supported 111 people in placements. At the time of our inspection 19 people were receiving the regulated activity of personal care.
There was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
Relatives told us people were safe. Staff and shared lives carers understood their responsibilities to identify and report all concerns in relation to safeguarding people from abuse. Staff and shared lives carers had completed safeguarding training.
People were supported by shared lives carers who had the skills and training to carry out their roles and responsibilities. The nature of the service meant shared lives shared lives carers and their families built strong caring relationships with the people they supported. People lived as part of shared lives shared lives carers families and were involved in day to day events and family activities.
The service sought people's views and opinions and acted upon them. Relatives and shared lives carers told us they were confident they would be listened to and action would be taken if they raised a concern.
Where risks to people had been identified risk assessments were in place and action had been taken to manage the risks. Staff and shared lives carers were aware of people's needs and followed guidance to keep them safe.
People received their medicines as prescribed. Records confirmed where people needed support with their medicines they were supported by shared lives shared lives carers that had been appropriately trained.
Staff spoke positively about the support they received from the registered manager. Staff had access to effective supervision. Shared lives carers were also positive about the support they received from the team of social workers.
The service had robust recruitment procedures and conducted background checks to ensure staff and shared live shared lives carers were suitable for their role.
The registered manager and staff understood the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and applied its principles in their work. The MCA protects the rights of people who may not be able to make particular decisions themselves.
Staff and the registered manager shared the visions and values of the service and these were embedded within service delivery. The service had systems to assess the quality of the service provided. Learning from audits took place which promoted people's safety and quality of life.
People were supported to maintain good health. Various health professionals were involved in assessing, planning and evaluating people's care and treatment.