Issue - meetings

Report CS18071

The Committee considered an overview of the Shared Lives Service.

The Shared Lives Service had been established in 2006 to support vulnerable adults to live within a family environment in receiving support.  Service users were referred to the Shared Lives Service by the Community Disability Team and once successfully placed, service user’s placements were monitored through two-monthly visits from the Shared Lives team and via an annual review by the Care Management team, as well as through the Bromley Quality Checkers Learning Disability Service Users Group.  The Shared Lives scheme was registered with CQC and had a “Good” rating in all areas.  The Shared Lives Service provided an alternative care option for service users within their own communities and realised significant cost savings of approximately £1.6M per annum, based on the current cohort of 31 users in comparison with alternate models of care such as Residential Care or Supported Living Schemes.  The opportunities available to carers through the Shared Lives Service were promoted at community events and venues across the Borough and during the past year, four new carers had joined the Service which had offset four carers who had chosen to leave.

In discussion, Members generally agreed that the Shared Lives Service offered an excellent opportunity for vulnerable adults in Bromley and recommended the Portfolio Holder for Care Services consider how the initiative could be expanded to benefit more vulnerable adults.  The Vice-Chairman agreed to undertake further work exploring how the Shared Lives Service might be further developed following the meeting.  A Member was pleased to report the high standard of the matching process which ensured that vulnerable adults participating in the service were placed with the right family. 

RESOLVED that:

1)  The overview of the Shared Lives Service be noted; and,

2)  The Portfolio Holder for Care Services be recommended to consider how the Shared Lives Service could be expanded.