Inspectors heap praise on Shared Lives scheme

A scheme that supports people with different needs to live as part of their carer’s family has been given top marks by Government inspectors.

The Shared Lives scheme met the top standard in all areas when inspected by the Care Quality Commission earlier this year.

Inspectors were impressed with the motivation and enthusiasm of staff, which led to people being happy in their placements.

The report said:

“Staff who worked for the scheme were motivated and enthusiastic. Workers were responsible for providing support to carers and monitoring placements. They told us how they felt well supported and well trained.”

Inspectors were also pleased that people who were placed with families as part of the Shared Lives scheme were encouraged to be as independent as possible.

The report added:

“People told us that they had opportunities to develop their independence. Some people took part in household tasks such as cooking and cleaning. Everyone we spoke with said that they had support plans which detailed their likes and dislikes.”

Another element of the service which impressed inspectors was the good communication between staff, carers and people in placements.

The Care Quality Commission checks whether hospitals, care homes and care services are meeting essential standards, and carried out an unannounced inspection of the Shared Lives scheme in late January 2014.

Reports reach one of three judgements for each element of the inspection: “met the standard”, “action needed” or “enforcement action taken”.

Shared Lives achieved the top mark (“met the standard”) for every part of the inspection.

Councillor Lee Chapman, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for adult services, said:

“Shared Lives is a hugely rewarding scheme for everyone involved, and the staff and carers should be very proud of this report.

“The inspectors were clearly very impressed with how the scheme is delivered and I know just how valued the service is by people who are placed with families – it truly does change lives.”

For more information about the Shared Lives scheme, visit the Shropshire Council website by clicking here.