We carried out a review of the data available to us about Dorset Shared Lives Scheme on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Dorset Shared Lives Scheme, you can give feedback on this service.
Dorset Shared Lives Scheme is a shared lives service which provides people with learning disabilities, autism, mental health needs, and or are living with dementia, with long-term placements, short breaks, respite care and day opportunities, within shared lives carers (SLC) own homes.
A total 46 shared lives carers had been appointed (36 households). Some shared lives carers had been approved to care for more than one person. At the time of our inspection 35 people were living in long-term shared lives arrangements, 26 people accessed shared lives for respite and 8 people were receiving day opportunities. Dorset Shared Lives Scheme employed five shared lives officers (staff) whose role was to co-ordinate and support shared lives carers.
The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.
Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also consider any wider social care provided.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People were supported by staff and shared lives carers who understood the risks they faced and how to support them to reduce these. People, shared lives carers and staff understood how to identify and report abuse.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and shared lives carers supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.
People received a person-centred service and they were treated with dignity and respect. Shared lives carers encouraged people's independence.
Shared lives carers and staff supported people to understand the choices available to them in ways they could easily understand. People led full and active lives in their homes and in the community. Shared lives carers and staff knew people well and understood what was important to them. They supported people to live their life the way they chose.
Staff and shared lives carers were recruited safely, and people were carefully matched with shared lives carers. People were supported by skilled, well trained and caring shared lives carers and staff.
The service was well-led and there were effective quality assurance systems in place to assess, monitor and improve the quality and safety of the service people received.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
This service was registered with us on 16 January 2019 and this is the first inspection.
The service was previously part of another registered service with a different provider that covered a larger geographical area.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the date of registration.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.