South East Wales Shared Lives Scheme Damien McCann Service Manager Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Substance Misuse

What is shared Lives?  Shared Lives previously know as ‘Adult Placement’ is the provision of support including accommodation in an ordinary family style setting for someone assessed to need it.  Shared Lives is the provision of support including long, short and sessional support placements to vulnerable adults who need support to live life in the community.  Shared Lives are bound by rules and regulations through the CSSIW.

How did this happened?  In 2010 the Heads of Adult Services in Gwent commissioned an options appraisal around the potential for collaboration across Shared Lives.  A group of officers from across Gwent came together to undertake this option appraisal.  This group did a report to the Head of Services proposing a collaborative approach to Shared Lives across Gwent.

What did it conclude?  It concluded that Shared Lives offers: Greater choice for people who use services and their families; An alternative to more institutional options; Continuity of care provided to children into adulthood; Regulatory oversight Value for money

Agreement  As a result of the Option appraisal it was proposed that Blaenau Gwent, Monmouthshire, Newport and Torfaen would enter into a collaborative approach for the provision of a Shared Lives scheme.  We agreed to seek to enter into a partnership agreement with Caerphilly, building upon the success of their in-house Shared Lives scheme.

Agreement  Whilst we were pursuing this recommendation SEWIC identified Shared Lives as one of their six areas for improvement through collaboration.  As a result of this involvement, the proposal was opened up to other South East Wales authorities, Merthyr Tydfil took the opportunity to join the scheme.  Working with Caerphilly the cost for the new scheme was apportioned across each authority.

Agreement  The staff ratio is based on one worker to eighteen carers.  A joint Service Level Agreement has been developed, and its performance will be overseen by a Partnership Board and its development by the SEWIC Board.  We have recruited a Registered Manager for the new scheme, she has recently started.

Conclusion  From a Blaenau Gwent perspective we have gained the provision of a Shared Lives scheme which we did not have previously.  We have become involved in an already successful scheme which has the necessary skills and experience to recruit families locally.  We will be able to offer a quality alternative service.  This will offer a value for money alternative to residential care.