Kirklees Shared Lives

On this page

• Overview
• Assessing needs
• Delivering evidence-based care and treatment
• How staff, teams and services work together
• Supporting people to live healthier lives
• Monitoring and improving outcomes
• Consent to care and treatment

Effective – this means we looked for evidence that people’s care, treatment and support achieved good outcomes and promoted a good quality of life, based on best available evidence.

At our last assessment we rated this key question good. At this assessment the rating has remained good. This meant people’s outcomes were consistently good, and people’s feedback confirmed this.
 

This service scored 79 (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’s care and treatment was effective by thoroughly assessing and reviewing their health, care, wellbeing and communication needs with them.
People's needs were well assessed before entering a Shared Lives arrangement. Assessments were comprehensive and person-centred, considering people's physical and mental health, communication needs, relationships, interests, preferences and long-term aspirations. This enabled the provider to develop a detailed understanding of each person and identify carers who were highly compatible with their needs, wishes and lifestyle.
Information gathered through assessment informed a highly effective matching process. Shared Lives officers demonstrated a detailed understanding of both people's needs and carers' skills, personalities and home environments. Professionals told us this supported well-informed matching decisions and contributed to many successful, long-term arrangements.
We saw evidence that assessments were used proactively to achieve positive outcomes for people. For example, when a person's long-term Shared Lives carer retired, the provider worked closely with the person, their family and professionals to identify a new arrangement. Careful consideration was given to what was important to the person, including maintaining friendships, attending their preferred day service and remaining connected to their local community. This resulted in a successful match which promoted continuity, independence and emotional wellbeing.
People's needs were regularly reviewed and support arrangements adapted when circumstances, needs or aspirations changed. As a result, people consistently received highly personalised support that enabled them to achieve positive outcomes and live fulfilling lives within their communities.
 

The provider planned and delivered people’s care and treatment with them, including what was important and mattered to them. They did this in line with legislation and current evidence-based good practice and standards.
People received care and support that reflected their assessed needs and current professional guidance. People's health and wellbeing were regularly monitored, with records showing routine reviews and additional assessments when there had been a significant change in need or circumstances.
Shared Lives carers demonstrated a detailed understanding of the people they supported and were able to identify changes in health and wellbeing. Where concerns were identified, carers sought advice from relevant healthcare professionals and acted on recommendations made by specialist teams and other practitioners involved in people's care.
Care plans and support arrangements were reviewed and updated to reflect changes in people's needs and ensure care remained appropriate and effective. This helped to ensure people received safe, responsive and person-centred care based on up-to-date information, clinical advice and their individual circumstances.
 

The provider worked well across teams and services to support people. They made sure people only needed to tell their story once by sharing their assessment of needs when people moved between different services.
Collaboration between carers, staff and other professionals was effective. Carers spoke positively about communication with the scheme and other agencies involved in people's care. We saw evidence of partnership working to ensure people's needs were understood and appropriate support was provided. A range of professionals were involved in supporting people, including district nurses, learning disability nurses, epilepsy and diabetes specialist teams, occupational therapists, GPs, dentists and chiropodists.
Professional advice, guidance and decisions were clearly documented and used to inform people's care and support arrangements.
A professional told us Shared Lives officers regularly sought advice and guidance from the learning disability social work team and demonstrated confidence in raising concerns, discussing complex situations and implementing recommendations. This helped to ensure people received coordinated care informed by relevant expertise.
 

The provider supported people to manage their health and wellbeing to maximise their independence, choice and control. Staff supported people to live healthier lives and where possible, reduce their future needs for care and support.
People were supported to live healthier lives and maintain their physical, emotional and social wellbeing. Shared Lives carers encouraged people to develop skills, pursue interests and access opportunities that promoted their health, independence and quality of life.
We saw positive examples of people being supported to develop everyday living skills and increase their independence. This included people preparing their own breakfast, managing household tasks and developing confidence in day-to-day activities. People were also encouraged to remain active and access their local communities through activities that were important to them, such as attending local gyms, using public transport independently and participating in social groups.
People were supported to maintain relationships with family, friends and others who were important to them, helping to reduce social isolation and promote emotional wellbeing. Through this support, people were able to maintain healthy lifestyles, develop life skills and remain actively involved in their communities.
 

The provider monitored all people’s care and treatment to continuously improve it. They ensured that outcomes were positive and consistent, and that they fully met both clinical expectations and the expectations of people themselves.
Records, feedback and examples shared during the assessment showed how people were supported to achieve outcomes that enhanced their independence, wellbeing and quality of life.
People achieved outcomes which increased their independence and participation in community life. Records demonstrated several people had significantly increased their independence whilst living within Shared Lives arrangements. For example, 1 person successfully completed travel training, enabling them to independently use public transport and access opportunities within their community.
We also saw evidence of exceptional outcomes for people with complex health needs. We met 1 person with complex health needs who had experienced consistently positive health outcomes over an extended period. The carer demonstrated an in-depth understanding of the person's health needs and presentation, closely monitoring their wellbeing and recognising changes at an early stage. This enabled timely intervention and effective partnership working with healthcare professionals. As a result, the person had maintained their health and wellbeing, experienced stability and continuity of care, and exceeded life expectancy expectations originally indicated by healthcare professionals. This high level of personalised care reduced the likelihood of avoidable hospital admissions which would have a detrimental impact on their health.
 

The provider told people about their rights around consent and respected these when delivering person-centred care and treatment.
People's rights to make decisions about their care and support were respected. Carers routinely sought consent before providing support and people were encouraged to make choices about their daily lives, routines and activities.
People were actively involved in decisions about their care and support wherever possible. Where people lacked capacity to make specific decisions, appropriate assessments were completed and relevant professionals were involved in best interest decision-making processes.
We saw examples of people being fully involved in reviewing their Shared Lives arrangements. One person was supported to understand and agree to the continuation of their placement and signed documentation to confirm their consent. This demonstrated the provider's commitment to supporting people to make informed decisions and remain involved in matters affecting their lives.