The Care Quality Commission
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Archived: Walsall Shared Lives

The Allens Centre, Hilton Road, Willenhall, West Midlands, WV12 5XB (01922) 655400

Provided and run by:
Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council

Important: This service was previously registered at a different address - see old profile
Important: This service is now registered at a different address - see new profile

All Inspections

31 October 2013

During a routine inspection

Our inspection was discussed and arranged one day in advance. This was to ensure we had time to speak with staff, as well as people using the service. We spoke with two people who were supported through the Shared Lives scheme, two relatives of people who were supported through the scheme, and three carers who provided care to people in their own homes.

People using the service were supported by carers who were self-employed and lived in the local community. Shared Lives assessed suitable carers through a careful selection process followed by a range of training opportunities to develop and enhance their skills.

People we spoke with who received a service told us that they were happy with their placements. They confirmed they were treated with respect and enjoyed their time with the carers. One person said, 'It's great I feel very safe. I make my own decisions but can always get some good advice. My carer is nice and kind.'

The relatives we spoke with told us they had confidence that carers had the knowledge and skills to support their relatives. One person told us, 'Shared Lives is absolutely tremendous it has made a huge huge difference. The carer is well trained, absolutely fantastic, and she can meet all X (person using the service) needs.'

1 February 2013

During a routine inspection

We spoke over the telephone with four appointed carers and two people who received a service from Walsall Shared Lives. We asked the two people who used the service about their experiences of the support they had received. Both people spoke positively about their carers. People told us that their privacy, dignity and independence was maintained.

The people we spoke with told us that they were happy with the support they received. They told us that the support they received made a difference to their everyday living. Both people told us that they felt safe and happy with the carers that supported them with their care and social needs. Comments we received included "'X' and 'Y' are great. I like living with them'. Another person told us 'I am happy with everything'.

All four carers without exception said that they were happy with the support they received from Walsall Shared Lives. They told us that the coordinators were respectful towards them and always approached them in a professional way. The carers told us that they attended a lot of training planned for them through Walsall Shared Lives. The carers told us that the training helped them to meet the ongoing needs of the people they supported.

We found that the Walsall Shared Lives coordinators had not received regular health and safety related training. We saw that systems were in place to monitor the quality of the care and support that people had received.