Archived: Huntingdon Shared Lives Scheme

Updated 15 June 2016

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This inspection was an announced inspection and took place on 5 May 2016 and was undertaken by one inspector. We gave the provider 48 hours’ notice of this inspection. This is because the registered manager may be out of the office supporting approved carers and we needed to be sure that they would be available to facilitate our inspection.

Before the inspection we looked at all of the information that we held about the service. This included information from notifications received by us. A notification is information about important events which the provider is required to send to us by law. Before the inspection the registered manager completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the registered provider to give some key information about the service, what it does well and improvements they plan to make. We took the information in the PIR into account when we made judgements in this report.

During the inspection we visited the scheme’s office and spoke with the registered manager and two care coordinators. We also spoke with two people, four approved carers and a relative on the phone.

We looked at three people’s care records and records in relation to the management of the service. We also looked at the management of coordinator such as recruitment, supervision, and training records. We spoke with healthcare professionals who had contact with the service. These included two adult support coordinators from the local authority

Updated 15 June 2016

Huntingdon Shared Lives Scheme is registered to provide the regulated activity of personal care. The service recruits and supports approved carers to support people living with a learning disability in a family placement and in their own homes. At the time of our inspection one person who was living with their approved carer as part of their family received personal care. Personal care was also provided to four people living in their own homes.

This inspection was announced and took place on 5 May 2016. There was a registered manager in place at the time of this inspection. 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.

The approved carers and scheme coordinators 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 approved carers to provide care and support to meet people’s needs.

Recruitment procedures ensured that only suitable people 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 medicines.

The CQC is required by law to monitor the operation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and to report on what we find. The provider was acting in accordance with the requirements of the MCA and they demonstrated how they supported people to make decisions about their care. The registered manager liaised with the commissioners to enable them to make applications to the Court of Protections for formal arrangements to be put in place when needed. Approved carers and coordinators had received training on the MCA and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).

People were supported by approved carers with their nutritional needs when required. Approved carers were trained to provide effective and safe care which met people’s individual needs and wishes. Approved carers were supported by the registered manager and scheme coordinators to maintain and develop their skills and knowledge through ongoing support and regular training.

The registered manager and the 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.

People received support and care 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 registered manager and coordinators 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.