Newham Shared Lives scheme rated Outstanding by CQC

A care service in the London borough of Newham has been given an Outstanding overall rating by the Care Quality Commission.

Based in The Grove, Stratford, the scheme facilitates arrangements between people with support needs and shared lives carers, who accommodate people in their own homes.

Newham Shared Lives Scheme was rated Outstanding for being effective and well-led and rated Good for being safe, caring and responsive.

Story continues below

Advertisement

The CQC only inspects the service being received by people provided with ‘personal care’ which involves tasks relating to personal hygiene and eating.

According to the report, the provider had an innovative, person centred and holistic approach to assessing people’s needs.

Shared Lives carers said their comprehensive assessments ensured their care plans met people’s needs.

One Shared Lives carer said: “We had full information about a person before the arrangement started. That was only part of it though, we took about a year to get to know each other first. They called it the matching, and it meant we were sure, on both sides, that it was a good move.”

The provider’s approach to matching people and shared lives carers is personalised and thorough, and records show they acknowledged the skills required by shared lives carers to come up with a shortlist for people to consider.

The report stated that Newham Shared Lives is very well-led and the service had become an independent not for profit company during the year prior to the last inspection in July 2017.

Debbie Ivanova, CQC’s deputy chief inspector of Adult Social Care, said: “It is always pleasing to see a high quality of care provided to people. I commend the leadership team and all the staff at Newham Shared Lives Scheme for their hard work and dedication.”