Shared Lives Bedford

On this page

• Overview
• Kindness, compassion and dignity
• Treating people as individuals
• Independence, choice and control
• Responding to people’s immediate needs
• Workforce wellbeing and enablement

Caring – this means we looked for evidence that the provider involved people and treated them with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect. At our last assessment we rated this key question good. At this assessment the rating has remained good. This meant people were supported and treated with dignity and respect; and involved as partners in their care.

This service scored 75 (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 always treated people with kindness, empathy and compassion and respected their privacy and dignity. Staff treated colleagues from other organisations with kindness and respect.

One person described their shared lives carer as “Nice and compassionate and caring.”

Staff had a caring attitude and knew people well. The registered manager was observed speaking to a shared lives carer in a patient, understanding and supportive way, demonstrating how well she knew them and the people they supported.

The provider treated people as individuals and made sure people’s care, support and treatment met people’s needs and preferences. They took account of people’s strengths, abilities, aspirations, culture and unique backgrounds and protected characteristics.

Care plans focused on what people could do independently, how they liked to spend their day and preferences. There were important details included in care plans to help maintain people’s health and wellbeing. For example, how people showed their feelings and how they could be supported when they were nervous or anxious.

Staff told us they worked closely with people’s families to understand their needs, personal stories and lifestyle.

The staff developed assessments and plans to help make sure people understood about safety and could identify risks from other people. They worked with other professionals to develop personalised information and support.

Staff and shared lives carers completed training about working in a person centred way and equality and diversity.

The provider promoted people’s independence, so people knew their rights and had choice and control over their own care, treatment and wellbeing.

People accessed meaningful work, education and multiple activities of their choosing. For example, one person’s care plan recorded their feedback on how they were working hard to achieve the grades to progress to the next level of the college course they were doing in their chosen subject.

Details about how people accessed the community and kept in touch with friends and family was written in the care plan. Care plans included updated and regularly reviewed details about people’s dreams, wishes and goals and any spiritual, religious, sexual and cultural needs.

Staff explained how they worked with people to encourage their independence while providing support. For example, during people’s reviews of their shared lives support, people are asked about their dreams, goals and aspirations. People can share what they are doing to achieve their short and longer-term goals, tasks they would like to achieve and if support is needed to achieve them. Staff told us how one person expressed an interest in moving into more independent living in the future. Staff provided them with details on a life skills programme. They told us the person chose to complete this to help them achieve their dream and really enjoyed it.

We saw weekly summaries from shared live carers and people sharing their achievements and how it made them feel for example preparing a meal independently.

The provider listened to and understood people’s needs, views and wishes. Staff responded to people’s needs in the moment and acted to minimise any discomfort, concern or distress.

Staff told us if any concerns were identified they would meet with both the person and their shared lives carers together and independently. Staff responded to people’s concerns as soon as possible and ensured people were involved in any actions taken.

The support plan was updated and amended to always reflect the needs of the person.

The provider cared about and promoted the wellbeing of their staff and supported and enabled staff to always deliver person-centred care.

Staff told us they felt valued and fully supported. Staff had access to an employee benefits scheme and could be nominated for an award.

To support wellbeing, staff had access to an online counselling service, support groups and networks.

Shared lives carers had access to a UK membership network that provided access to resources, legal/financial advice and a community of carers.

Shared lives carers told us they had regular training, support from staff when requested, regular breaks and opportunities to meet with other local shared lives carers.