The Care Quality Commission

Archived: South Gloucestershire Shared Lives Scheme

Downend Day Centre, Overndale Road Downend, Bristol, BS16 2RQ

Provided and run by:
South Gloucestershire Council

Important: This service is now registered at a different address - see new profile

All Inspections

23, 24 July 2013

During a routine inspection

We attended an evening event held by the provider for carers and people who were supported by shared lives carers. We observed interactions between people and saw that people were respectful, patient and kind in their approach. When we spoke with carers they spoke with empathy, passion and warmth about the people they supported and demonstrated that they knew the needs of the people in their care.

People using the service looked relaxed and happy in the company of carers. We heard the support and encouragement being offered to people and saw that relationships had been established. People told us 'I do lots of things, with my carer and on my own. We go on cruises and I love that' Another person told us 'I couldn't wish for anything better, I love my home, my life and my carer'. A third person told us 'My carer supports me to be independent and to see my friends and go out'.

We spoke with carers who were working for the Shared Lives Scheme.They told us they felt well supported by the scheme and were able to provide care that met people's needs. One person said, "[Name of person using the service] is a family member to me. We are well supported by the two members of staff employed by the scheme. The balance of support is just right."

We spoke with the registered manager and a shared lives worker. Their role was to provide support, identify development needs for the carers and ensure the person using the service was receiving the appropriate support. The people we spoke with said they felt well supported to meet the requirements of the role.

17 July 2012

During a routine inspection

In view of the communication difficulties for some of the people who use the service, we relied on observations between the carers, staff and people who use the service in order to understand their experiences of the service. Within this report people that are supporting people in their homes (who are self employed) we have referred to as carers.

We attended an evening event held by the provider, the people that used the service and the people that cared for them were present. The event was well attended and provided us with an opportunity to speak with the manager, members of staff and carers. We observed the interactions between staff, carers and those that used the service. We visited the offices of the shared lives scheme the following day in order to check records.

During the evening event people that used the service spoke affectionately about the people that cared for them. Comments made included 'My carer is wonderful', 'My carer is the best'. Another person told us 'I am so happy, my carers are amazing, they are my second family'.

We saw carers talking with people who use the service about their day to day activities and choices and relationships appeared to be warm and caring. When we spoke with carers they demonstrated a sound understanding of the needs of the people in their care.

People that used the service and their carers had been asked by the provider for their views about their care and how services were delivered. At the providers event that we attended carers spoke highly about the support and information provided to them by the scheme.

People told us 'Both of the staff are amazing, they are so supportive, kind and they know exactly what they are doing, this gives me the confidence to do my job well'. 'X is wonderful, nothing is ever too much trouble, I can contact them anytime and no question is too small or trivial', another person told us ' I feel that I can go to X & X anytime for advice, they know the person I support really well and are always on hand if I need any support'.

We spoke with both members of the scheme's staff during our inspection. Both members of staff were very motivated, caring and positive about working for the shared lives scheme and were extremely committed to providing a good service for the people they support.