Issue - meetings

Report CS18173

The Committee considered a report providing an overview and update on the current position of the Shared Lives Service.

The Shared Lives Service had been established in 2006 to recruit, train and support paid Carers to provide quality placements within their own family homes in the community.  The scheme provided vulnerable adults with a cost-effective alternative to traditional residential and day support with the aim of supporting them to maintain a level of independence and maximise their quality of living within their own community.  There were 36 Carers participating in the scheme as at August 2018, who were providing 33 long term placements and one emergency placement, as well as eight carers providing 16 respite placements to specific vulnerable adults and two carers providing Day Support placements.  The Shared Lives Service was registered with the Care Quality Commission and had been awarded a ‘Good’ rating in all areas following its last inspection in July 2016.  Another CQC Inspection was expected to take place shortly and a service self-evaluation had been completed to ensure readiness for the inspection and implement learning towards the achievement of an ‘Outstanding’ rating.  A range of monitoring processes were in place to ensure service users received a high quality service including the use of Quality Checkers.  Additional information tabled at the meeting showed the uptake of the Shared Lives Service in Bromley as a proportion of total local population compared to neighbouring local authorities.

A Member outlined work undertaken by the Placement Panel for the Shared Lives Service which included representation from a number of local authorities and was an excellent example of inter-borough co-operation.  The Portfolio Holder for Adult Care and Health Services confirmed that she would be attending the next meeting of the Placement Panel where she would have the opportunity to meet service users and carers participating in the Shared Lives Service. 

In response to a question from the Chairman, the Director: Adult Social Care advised that measurable outcomes for the Shared Lives Service were prescribed by the Care Quality Commission and aimed to ensure service users were engaged, well cared for and integrated in the community.  Work to further develop the scheme was ongoing with the aim of recruiting more carers and service users and better understanding future demand for the Shared Lives Service.  Further updates would be provided to the Adult Care and Health PDS Committee when available.

RESOLVED that the overview and update on the current position of the Shared Lives Service be noted.