‘Good’ Rating for Reading Council’s Shared Lives Scheme

READING Council’s Shared Lives Scheme has been rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in its latest inspection.

The Shared Lives Scheme provides support to vulnerable young people and adults within an approved carer’s own family home. The support is flexible and the person is encouraged to live as independently as possible. The scheme provides a mixture of placements, currently with 39 carers in 26 family homes, supporting over 40 people using the service. 13 of the service users were receiving personal care assistance and this formed the basis of the CQC inspection. Support provided ranges from personalised day activities, overnight / short break respite to full time placements. People are included as part of carers families and are involved in day to day and special family activities, with those receiving full time care often remaining as part of the same family for a number of years.

Inspectors said it was evident:

“People were respected and became part of the carer's family. Their privacy and dignity was encouraged and promoted. People's diversity was fully understood and people's carers and support plans reflected their particular needs. People were matched with carers who could offer them a home where any special needs could be absorbed into family life.” Inspectors were told by many people they felt part of the family and one person who uses the service told inspectors they had been a part of the carer’s family for 11 years - they went on holiday together and accompanied them on all family events. The inspection, which took place on 12 and 16 July 2018, found the Council run service was offering safe, caring, responsive and effective support, combined with quality management.

Cllr Tony Jones, Reading’s Lead Member for Adult Social Care, said:

“I’m delighted to hear the Shared Lives Scheme has once again received a well-earned ‘good’ rating from the Care Quality Commission. The rating is testament to the hard work of all the staff, who provide caring support for this vital service. “The Shared Lives scheme makes such a huge difference to the lives of so many people, who have had their lives transformed and enriched by becoming part of a welcoming and supportive family. I encourage people who would like to find out more about how to become a Shared Lives carer to get in touch.” The Shared Lives team are keen to recruit more carers. To find out more, call 0118 9373700 or sharedlives@reading.gov.uk To view the report visit: www.cqc.org.uk/directory/1-3831684523

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The Care Quality Commission (CQC) are regulators of health and adult social care in England. For further information including inspection reports, visit the CQC website www.cqc.org.uk