27 July 2016
During a routine inspection
The Shared Lives service is run by the London Borough of Richmond and provides support and care for people with learning disabilities, autism, dementia or who are vulnerable. The support takes place in the scheme's Shared Lives carers homes and the community. This can be for respite or longer term care. The service is located in the Twickenham area.
There was a registered manager in post. 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
At the previous inspection on 4 December 2013, the scheme was compliant with the standards inspected. At this inspection the regulations were met.
People and their relatives told us they were very satisfied with the service provided. The activities and tasks took place in a way people liked and enjoyed. They felt safe and the Shared Lives carers and staff team supported them well. They thought the service provided was safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led.
The records covered all aspects of the care and support people received and were kept up to date. Peoples’ choices were recorded, their needs identified and met. The support plans were complete, and regularly reviewed. The information enabled Shared Lives carers and staff to provide the service people needed.
The staff knew the people using the service and Shared Lives carers providing it well and this enabled them to provide support to people and those providing it. Everyone providing support worked well as a team and provided care and support in a professional, friendly and effective way. This was focussed on the individual and staff and Shared Lives carers had appropriate skills to do so. They were well trained, knowledgeable and accessible to people using the service and their relatives.
Staff and Shared Lives carers said they enjoyed their work and that the manager provided the support they needed. They also had access to good training that enabled them to carry out their roles.
People and their relatives were encouraged to discuss health and other needs with office staff, Shared Lives carers and had agreed information passed on to GP’s and other community based health professionals, as appropriate. Shared Lives carers and staff protected people from nutrition and hydration associated risks by monitoring what they ate and drank if required. They gave advice about healthy food options and balanced diets whilst still providing meals that people enjoyed.
The staff knew about the Mental Capacity Act and their responsibilities regarding it.
People told us the manager was approachable, responsive, encouraged feedback and frequently monitored and assessed the quality of the service provided.