Archived: Bury Council Shared Lives Scheme

' Is the service safe?

' Is the service effective?

' Is the service caring?

' Is the service responsive?

' Is the service well-led?

This is a summary of what we found-

Is the service safe?

We found that the service carefully assessed and managed risks to people's personal safety to make sure their support was delivered in a safe way. Suitable safeguarding policies and procedures were in place and carers had been trained in adult safeguarding. Carers and where relevant, family members, had undergone DBS checks to ensure they were safe to support vulnerable adults.

People told us they felt safe. Systems were in place to make sure managers and carers learned from events such as accidents and incidents, complaints and concerns.

Is the service effective?

People's support was well planned and kept under regular review to check it remained effective. The carers received training that equipped them with the skills to understand and meet the needs of the people they supported. Carers told us they were well supported in their roles and their performance was regularly supervised and appraised. People were involved in developing their own plans of care.

Is the service caring?

A person-centred approach was taken in planning and providing care that was tailored to individuals' needs and wishes. People told us they received support from carers who were kind and caring and helped them to maintain their independence. We received positive feedback from people using the service about the care and support they received.

Is the service responsive?

The service actively involved people at all stages of their care. People contributed to assessments of their needs and met regularly with staff to plan and review their care and support. Records confirmed that people's support was provided in line with the outcomes they wished to achieve. People we spoke with knew how to make a complaint if they need to. The service worked well with other agencies and services to make sure people received care they needed.

Is the service well-led?

The manager and carers had a good understanding of the ethos of the service and their roles and responsibilities. Quality assurance processes were in place to check standards were maintained. People were routinely consulted about their level of satisfaction and feedback was used to improve the quality of the service.

We spoke with four people involved with the Scheme. People spoke positively about the service received. People told us; 'It's reassuring having the support', 'It has worked very well for us' and 'It's very flexible'.

One person said that the carer involved with their relative had 'shared interests and lots in common' and the carer had become 'a real friend of the family'.

A thorough recruitment and selection process was undertaken when approving new carers. Carers spoken with acknowledged the process had been 'lengthy' however said they had 'found it very useful'. One person said; 'I was provided with lots of information and we met regularly to discuss things'. Additional training and development was provided to support carers in their role.

Systems were in place to monitor and review the quality of service people received.

Information was made available to people and carers about how they could raise any issues or concerns. We were told that no complaints had been received about the service provided.