About the service: Ategi Shared Lives Scheme support people with a learning disability, physical disability, mental health concerns, older and younger adults. The scheme supports people to live within a shared lives arrangement. Each person is matched with a shared lives carer. The person then either lives or stays in the carers home as part of their family. The scheme provides long term placements, respite care (Short term placements) and offers a mentoring programme to support people develop their independence. At the time of the inspection is scheme was supporting 44 long term placements.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
People’s experience of using this service:
People told us they were happy with their shared live arrangement. They told us “Yes, I am happy with my carers.” “Yes, I would recommend my carer” and “They are very respectful when dealing with anything personal.”
People were encouraged to engage in meaningful activities and be an active member of society.
People were supported by shared lives carers who had gone through a robust recruitment, selection and matching process.
People had opportunities to meet with the provider and to share their ideas for improvements for the scheme. Shared lives carers were able to contribute to the strategic plan for the scheme by sharing suggestions on improvements to the service.
People were encouraged to be as independent as they could be. One person told us how they went to work, it was clear they thoroughly enjoyed it.
Shared lives carers told us they felt supported by the registered manager and other office staff. Comments included, “This has been the best move possible for us. We receive regular and thorough visits, which enable us to feel confident and during which we are able to raise any concerns,” “We have found the service amazing” and “In our experience, Ategi go beyond what we would normally expect in ensuring that any issues are completely and swiftly resolved so that all parties are fully satisfied with the outcome.”
The office staff maintained regular contact with people and their shared lives carers. Care plans were updated to reflect people’s current needs.
The registered manager and provider had systems in place to monitor the quality of the service provided.
Rating at last inspection:
The previous inspection was carried out on 13, 14 and 15 September 2016 (Published on 26 October 2016). The service was rated Good at the time.
Why we inspected:
This was a planned inspection to confirm that this service remained Good.
Follow up:
We will continue to monitor the service to ensure that people receive safe, compassionate, high quality care. Inspections will be carried out to enable us to have an overview of the service, we will use information we receive to inform future inspections.