We carried out a review of the data available to us about Cambridgeshire Shared Lives Scheme on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Cambridgeshire Shared Lives Scheme, you can give feedback on this service.
Cambridgeshire Shared Lives Scheme is registered to provide the regulated activity of personal care. The scheme recruits and supports approved carers who share their home and/or community life for a few hours a week, an overnight stay, or a longer term live-in arrangement, for younger and older adults who need support.
Shared Lives carers’ strengths, knowledge and personalities are matched to the needs of the person who needs support. Introductory visits enable people to become familiar with the carer, their family and their home to enable them to make a choice about who provides their support and ensure the carer feels fully able to support the person who will be staying with them in their home. This could be for day support, respite, or to move in with their Shared Lives carer’s family for a longer period of time.
At the time of our inspection there were 97 people using the scheme of which 15 people received the regulated activity of personal care. Not everyone using Cambridgeshire Shared Lives Scheme receives a regulated activity; 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.
A registered manager was not in post. The previous registered manager left on 30 August 2018. A new manager had been in post for 10 weeks and they were applying for registration with the Commission.
People continued to receive a safe service. Carers understood how to keep people safe and how to report any concerns about safeguarding. Any incidents of concern were reported and acted on. Staff were recruited in a safe way. The provider ensured they had the right skills to meet people's needs in a safe way and understood the proper and safe use of medicines. Where needed infection control and prevention procedures were adhered to.
People continued to receive a service that was effective. Staff were equipped with the knowledge and skills required through relevant training to provide effective and responsive support to meet people’s needs. People ate and drank healthily. Staff and carers supported people to access healthcare services and respected people’s decisions.
People continued to receive a service that was kind, sincere, compassionate and caring. Staff knew people well, listened to what they said and acted accordingly. Staff and carers upheld people's dignity and privacy.
Staff and carers knew what each person’s preferences were and promoted these. People's concerns were acted on before they became a complaint. Systems and policies were in place should people need support at the end of their lives.
The service was well-led by a manager who had identified areas for improvement. The manager supported the staff team to be open and honest. People were involved in determining how the service was run. The manager and staff team worked well with others involved in people's care. The provider ensured that we were told about important events. Staff and carers upheld the provider's values for making a difference to the quality of people's care, people led fulfilling lives as a result.
Further information is in the detailed findings below.
A registered manager was not in place at the time of this inspection. The previous manager was deregistered in May 2016. However an interim manager was in place to manage the service in conjunction with the scheme’s coordinators. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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.
Staff knew what action to take to ensure that people were protected if they suspected they were at risk of harm. There were sufficient numbers of staff to provide care to the people using the service.
Recruitment procedures ensured that only suitable staff were employed to work with people using the service. Risks to people’s health, wellbeing and safety had been assessed and actions had been taken to reduce any identified risks. Arrangements were in place to ensure that people were supported and protected with the safe management of their medication.
The CQC is required by law to monitor the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA 2005) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and to report on what we find. The provider was acting in accordance with the requirements of the MCA including the DoLS. The provider demonstrated how they supported people to make decisions about their care and where they were unable to do so, there were records showing that decisions were being taken in people’s best interests. This also meant that people were not being deprived of their liberty with the protection of the law. Staff had received training on the MCA and the DoLS.
People were supported by staff with their nutritional needs, where appropriate, during the care visits they received.
The scheme’s coordinators and approved carers were trained to provide effective and safe care which met people’s individual needs and wishes. Approved carers were supported by the manager and scheme coordinators to maintain and develop their skills and knowledge through ongoing support and regular training.
The manager and coordinators were in contact with a range of care professionals to ensure that care and support to people was well coordinated and appropriate.
People’s privacy and dignity were respected and their care and support was provided in a caring and patient way.
Care and support was provided to people in their own homes and within a family placement. People received a service that was based on their personal needs and wishes. Changes in people’s needs were quickly identified and their care plans were amended when required. The service was flexible and responded very positively to people’s requests. People who used the service felt able to make requests and express their opinions and views.
A complaints procedure was in place and complaints had been responded to, to the satisfaction of the complainant. People felt able to raise concerns with the staff at any time.
The provider had effective quality assurance processes and procedures in place to monitor the quality and safety of people’s care. People and their relatives were able to make suggestions in relation to the support and care provided.
Staff told us they had very good training. One person said: "My training is updated. The co-ordinator is very on the ball with that". Another said: "It's a great service. I receive regular supervision".
One professional told us that the scheme works well and has become more flexible. They said: "Communication works well between the two services and means other options can be looked at and discussed".
Everyone was very positive about the adult placement scheme, Fenland and East Cambridgeshire. One carer said, "People definitely benefit. One person now has the confidence to put his opinion forward to his family. The adult care team told us, "It's a really good scheme and easy to liaise with. It provides something structured for people to tap into".
We found the scheme to be well managed and organised. Good systems were in place for record keeping and quality monitoring. Care records and the training offered enabled carers to support people well.