Kent Shared Lives

Updated 2 August 2017

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked 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 to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014. This was a comprehensive inspection.

The inspection took place on 25, 26 and 27 April 2017 and was announced. The registered manager was given 48 hours’ notice to ensure they were available. This inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Before the inspection the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This 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. Prior to the inspection we reviewed this and other information we held about the service, we looked at the previous inspection report and notifications received by the Care Quality Commission. A notification is information about important events, which the provider is required to tell us about by law.

During the inspection we reviewed people’s records and a variety of documents. These included three people’s needs assessments and care plans, contact reports made by shared lives officers, a staff recruitment file and two carers assessments and checks, shared lives officers and carers training records, incident reports and quality assurance survey results, visit reports and other audits.

We spoke with three people who were using the service and their carers, who we visited in their home, the registered manager and two shared lives officers. Later we telephoned and spoke to six carers and contacted and received feedback from five shared lives officers. After the inspection we contacted panel members and social care professionals who had recently had contact with the service and received feedback from four, which was positive.

Updated 2 August 2017

Care service description

Kent Shared Lives provides a service to adults who need support and who want to live as part of a family. It is an alternative to supported living or residential care for people who want to live or stay in a homely environment, but cannot manage on their own. It provides services for people with learning, physical or sensory disabilities, and people with mental health problems, older people and people with Asperger's and Autism. The service provides long term placements and respite care. Staff at Kent Shared Lives are responsible for recruiting carers who will provide the care and support that people need within the carer’s own home. For the purposes of this report we will refer to those who provide the support as ‘carers’. Shared lives Ooficers are staff employed by Kent Shared Lives who support carers and monitor the service. At the time of this inspection there were 84 people receiving support with their personal care.

Rating at last inspection

At the last inspection, the service was rated Good.

Rating at this inspection

At this inspection the service remained Good and met all the relevant fundamental standards.

Why the service is rated Good.

People were protected from abuse, because shared lives officers and carers knew how to recognise and respond to signs of abuse. Risks to individuals’ safety and wellbeing were assessed and minimised. People got there medicines when they should and these were handled safely. Accident and incidents were reported, recorded and monitored to reduce the risk of further occurrence.

People and carers were supported with sufficient shared lives officers with the right skills and knowledge to meet their individual needs and promote person centred care. People’s care plans contained a good level of detail about their life history, likes and dislikes and preferred activities, which initially helped carers to deliver personalised care. Robust recruitment and assessment procedures ensured shared lives officers and carers were of suitable character to carry out their role.

People were supported and encouraged to make their own decisions and choices and remain as independent as possible. People had access to relevant health and social care professionals and arrangements were in place for them to have regular visits to the GP, dentist and opticians.

People did not have any concerns, but knew how to complain and felt comfortable in doing this if the need should arise. The registered manager and shared lives officers were open and very committed in their approach and looked to drive improvements in the service. Audits and checks were in place and people received a quality service in line with the provider’s objectives.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.