Royal Greenwich Shared Lives

Updated 21 March 2018

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service and provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This inspection was carried out by one inspector and was supported by an expert by experience. An expert by experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service. Before we visited the service we checked the information we held about the service and the service provider including notifications and incidents affecting the safety and well-being of people. No concerns had been raised. The provider also completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). The PIR is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. The PIR also provides data about the organisation and service

We spoke with 12 people using the service and nine relatives. We also spoke with the registered manager, a placement officer and six carers. We reviewed five people’s care plans, five staff files, training records and records relating to the management of the service such as audits, policies and procedures.

Updated 21 March 2018

We undertook an announced inspection on 5 January 2018 of Royal Greenwich Shared Lives (RGSL). RGSL trains and supports shared lives carers (carers) who provide personal care and support for people within their own family homes and community to enable people to live as independently as possible. RGSL caters for adults who have a learning or physical disability or need support to maintain their mental health. At the time of the inspection, 39 people were using the service and 11 people were receiving respite care.

There was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission [CQC] 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.

At the last inspection on 27 January 2015, the service was rated Good.

At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

People's health and social care needs had been appropriately assessed. Care plans were person-centred, and specific to each person and their needs. Care preferences were documented and carers we spoke with were aware of people's likes and dislikes. Care plans were regularly reviewed and were updated when people's needs changed.

Systems and processes were in place to help protect people from the risk of harm. Carers had received training in safeguarding adults and knew how to recognise and report any concerns or allegations of abuse. Risks to people were identified and managed so that people were safe

Systems were in place to make sure people received their medicines safely.

Carers had been carefully recruited and provided with induction and training to enable them to support people effectively. They had the necessary support, supervision and appraisals from management.

Carers we spoke with had an understanding of the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). Capacity to make specific decisions was recorded in people's care plans.

People were supported with the nutritional and hydration needs. Carers were aware of people’s dietary requirements and the support they needed with their food and drink.

Carers told us that they received up to date information about the service and had an opportunity to share good practice and any concerns they had at team meetings.

There was a management structure in place with a team of carers, five placement officers, an administrator, the registered manager and the provider. Carers spoke positively about working for the service.

The quality of the service was monitored by regular monitoring visits and annual reviews of people’s care. Feedback about the service was also sought through questionnaires. Feedback was positive about the service people received.