Archived: Hull Shared Lives Scheme

Updated 28 June 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 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.

The inspection was carried out to see if the breach of regulation found at the last inspection had been resolved.

The inspection took place on 16 May 2018 and was announced. The inspection team included one adult social care inspector and an assistant inspector. We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection visit because we needed to be sure that the registered manager would be in. We visited the office location to see the staff and review care records and policies and procedures.

Before the inspection, the provider was asked to complete 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. We considered this information during our inspection. We also looked at the notifications received and reviewed all the intelligence the Care Quality Commission held to help inform us about the level of risk for this service. Prior to our inspection we asked for feedback about the service from the safeguarding and commissioning team at Kingston Upon Hull City Council, which we received. We used all this information to help us make a judgement about this service

We looked at how the service used the Mental Capacity Act 2005 to ensure that when people were assessed as lacking capacity to make their own decisions, best interest meetings were held in order to make important decisions on their behalf.

During the inspection we spoke with two people who used the service, two shared lives carers (people not employed by the service. They will be called carers throughout this report), three shared lives officers (who will be referred to as staff throughout this report) and the registered manager. We visited one person receiving a service in their shared lives placement with their consent, accompanied by staff. We also telephoned people receiving a service and their carers to gain their views.

We looked at a selection of documentation relating to the management and running of the service. We looked at three people's care records, minutes of meetings held with people using the service, shared lives carers and shared lives officers. We reviewed three staff recruitment files and supervision records, staff training information and rotas. We inspected quality assurance checks and audits, policies and procedures, safety records, complaints and compliments.

Updated 28 June 2018

This announced inspection took place on 17 May 2018.

The Hull Shared Lives Scheme coordinates placements for adults needing support with living skills and personal care. It recruits, trains and supports shared lives carers, who provide long and short-term or respite placements for people, giving them the opportunity to experience independent life and

support in the community. It provides a service to older adults and younger disabled adults.

Not everyone using Hull Shared Lives Scheme receives regulated activity; The Care Quality Commission (CQC) only 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.

At the last inspection of this service we found there was a breach of the Health and Social Care Act (Regulated activities) Registrations 2014, regulation 17, Good Governance. The registered provider had failed to put effective auditing and governance systems in place to monitor and improve the quality and safety of the services provided.

Following the last inspection, we asked the provider to complete an action plan to show what they would do and by when to improve the key questions safe and well-led to at least good. At this inspection we found people’s care records contained all relevant information to maintain their safety and robust quality assurance checks were in place. We found the necessary improvements had been made to meet the relevant requirement.

The service had a registered manager in place. 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.

The registered manager was open and transparent. Quality assurance checks and audits were taking place to help to maintain or improve the service. Recruitment and medicine management was robust.

People were protected from harm and abuse. Safeguarding concerns were reported to the local authority, which helped to protect people.

Training was provided to staff and shared lives carers so all parties were skilled and had the relevant knowledge to provide care and support. Supervisions and appraisals were undertaken for staff.

People’s mental capacity was assessed. If people lacked capacity to make their own decisions then the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and codes of practice were followed to protect people's rights.

People’s preferences for their care and support were known and adhered to. Care plans and risk assessments were in place to help shared lives carers provide person-centred care and support in line with people’s preferences. People’s diversity, privacy and dignity was protected.

Care was provided to people by carers. The care provision was overseen by staff who made sure people’s needs were met. People's nutritional needs were assessed and monitored if there were concerns. Health care professionals were contacted for help and advice to help maintain people's wellbeing.

A complaints policy was provided to people in a format that met their needs. Compliments were received about the service provided.

The registered manager had an open door policy and was available at any time. Meetings were held and people’s views were sought about the service provided. Feedback received was acted upon. Staff meetings were held. The registered manger was undertaking activities to promote the service in the area by giving presentations and working with other social and health care services. Good practice guidance was in place and was followed by staff.