22 September 2017
During a routine inspection
Sunderland Shared Lives is an adult placement scheme. The scheme oversees carers who provide care and support to adults who have learning disabilities. On the day of our inspection there were 17 people using the service. The registered manager and senior support worker are employed by Sunderland Shared Lives, however, carers are self-employed and have a contract with Sunderland Shared Lives.
The service had a registered manager in place. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to manage the service. Like 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.
We last inspected the service in September 2015 and rated the service as ‘Good.’ At this inspection we found the service remained ‘Good’ and met all the fundamental standards we inspected against.
Accidents and incidents were appropriately recorded and monitored. The manager understood their responsibilities with regard to safeguarding and carers had been trained in safeguarding vulnerable adults.
Appropriate arrangements were in place for the safe administration of medicines.
Appropriate health and safety checks had been carried out, and risk assessments were in place.
The provider had an effective recruitment and selection procedure in place and carried out relevant vetting checks when employing carers. Carers were suitably trained and received regular supervisions and appraisals.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives, and carers supported them in the least restrictive way possible.
People were protected from the risk of poor nutrition and carers were aware of people’s nutritional needs.
People were treated with dignity and respect and were helped to maintain their independence.
Care records showed that people’s needs were assessed before they started using the service and support plans were written in a person-centred way. Person-centred is about ensuring the person is at the centre of any care or support plans and their individual wishes, needs and choices are taken into account.
Activities were arranged for people who used the service based on their likes and interests and to help meet their social needs.
The provider had an effective complaints procedure in place and people who used the service and carers were made aware of how to make a complaint.
The provider had an effective quality assurance process in place. Carers said they felt supported by the management team.