Archived: Lewisham Mental Health Adult Placement Scheme

We spoke with people using the service. One person told us "I am asked about my care plan and my views are listened to". Another person said "I like it the way it is, I am involved in my care".

At the time of this inspection the provider did not have a registered manager in post. An interim manager had been appointed to oversee the service in the short term. They were able to demonstrate sound knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures.

We saw that the carers were invited to regular meetings, and were supported with training needs. Recent appraisal reviews of the carers had taken place.

There were systems in place to review the quality of the care being provided. The interim manager had visited all carers and carried out a review of them and of each of the people placed with them. Ongoing unannounced visits were taking place; and key policies and procedures had been reviewed.

We found that people received safe and appropriate care, and that the care planning records were up to date.

People using the service told us that they felt safe in their placements. Carers understood their role in safeguarding people who use the service. .

Carers were assessed and approved by the scheme. There were a number of mandatory training courses that they were expected to attend. However, records showed that the majority of the scheme's carers were waiting to attend relevant courses.

We found that the service had a number of systems in place to monitor the quality of the care provided. However, it could not demonstrate that it had taken action when issues were found. We were unable to examine a number of records, including those relating individual reviews carried out with people using the service and the complaints log, as their whereabouts could not be determined.