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Adult Services procedure - 04/16Shared Lives – Policy 6 Version number 1

Shared Lives Scheme

Hampshire Shared Lives Scheme

Shared Lives Carer Agreement

The Shared Lives Carer Agreement outlines the roles and responsibilities of the Shared Lives Carer(s) in working with the Shared Lives Scheme and the roles and responsibilities that the Shared Lives Scheme has in supporting and working with the Shared Lives Carer(s). It also sets out the terms and conditions for the Shared Lives Carer(s) approved by the Shared Lives Scheme.

Terminology used in the Shared Lives Carer’s Agreement

Person means the person requiring support who will be using or living in the Shared Lives placement.

A Shared Lives Carer is a person who, under the terms of a Shared Lives Carer Agreement provides, or intends to provide, personal care and support. They share their home and their family (and/or community) life and where necessary, provide accommodation to the person using or living in a Shared Lives placement. In Shared Lives day support placements, this can be using the home as a base and then visiting the community. The use of the term ‘and/or community’ above takes account of: ‘and’ - that Shared Lives involves sharing the community life of the Shared Lives Carer; ‘or’ - that some Shared Lives Carers (e.g. single Shared Lives Carers who do not have regular contact with their families) may not consider themselves as having a ‘family life’ to share.

Shared Lives Registered Service Manager is registered with the relevant care regulator and has overall responsibility for the quality and safety of care and support of all Shared Lives placements within their Shared Lives Scheme. The Service Manager has legal accountability for the final decision on approval of new Shared Lives Carers, continuing approval and monitoring of existing Shared Lives Carers.

Shared Lives Team Manager is a qualified Social Worker and Best Interest Assessor and has responsibility for the Shared Lives Managers and the carers within the Scheme. The Team Manager works with the Registered Manager on the continuing approval and monitoring of existing Shared Lives Carers.

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Shared Lives Scheme

Shared Lives Managers are individuals employed by a Shared Lives Scheme and who have the training, qualities and experience needed to carry out the necessary tasks of the Scheme including Shared Lives Carer recruitment, approval and training; setting up, supervising, monitoring, and reviewing of Shared Lives placements.

Shared Lives Recruitment Co-Ordinators are responsible for the recruitment of new carers and the matching of new referrals to potential new carers if there are no suitable placements within the Scheme.

Shared Lives Senior Administrator is available during working hours to take calls, check voicemail, and maintain records and provide administrative support to the rest of the Team and to signpost carers to the appropriate person.

Hampshire Shared Lives Scheme is run by Hampshire County Council (HCC) Adult Services Department, and regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The care that HCC provides is mainly for people aged 18+ and in some cases 16+ where they meet the eligibility for Adult Services.

Shared Lives Placement Agreement is a written agreement made in relation to each individual Shared Lives placement. It is an agreement between the person who will be making use of, or living in a Shared Lives placement, the Shared Lives Carer, the Scheme and anyone involved in commissioning the service (Care Manager, Social Worker, and family member). The agreement incorporates the responsibilities and expectations of all those involved in the placement and includes details of the plan for care for the person using the service. It must be signed by all relevant parties before the commencement of the Shared Lives placement.

This is a Shared Lives Carer’s Agreement between

.................................................................................................................................(Name of Shared Lives Carer(s)

and

.................................................................................................................................(Name of Shared Lives service)



Shared Lives Scheme

The Shared Lives Carer(s) agrees:

1. To work in accordance with the Roles and Responsibilities of the Shared Lives Scheme and the standards of conduct and practice.

2. To support any person using Shared Lives to live the life that they want, to be part of the community, to share family life with the Shared Lives Carer(s) and to feel good, stay well and keep safe.

3. To treat the person with respect and dignity and support any person placed into a Shared Lives placement to express their views and make choices and decisions.

4. To promote independence, and integration into their local community, providing support and encouragement to find employment or meaningful day/ evening opportunities. This must be documented in the All About Me (AAM).

5. To follow all the HCC Shared Lives Scheme’s policies and Good Practice guidelines. Copies of which are provided in the Shared Lives Carer’s Handbook and the carer must endeavour to explain those policies and procedures to the person placed with them.

6. To receive referrals only through the Shared Lives Scheme and to co-operate with the Shared Lives Scheme’s procedures for matching and introductions.

7. Not to enter into any private placements with individuals or their representatives without the prior agreement of the Scheme.

8. To enter into a Shared Lives placement only when they believe that they can meet the person’s assessed needs.

9. To work with the person as outlined in their initial AAM and the Shared Lives placement agreement. Then continue to update annually or where appropriate and also update the Shared Lives Manager and Care Manager of any amendments made.

10. To be aware of the 5 principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and work in accordance with these principles and report to the Shared Lives Managers any



Shared Lives Scheme

concerns.

11. To not unlawfully deprive somebody of their liberty, if a carer believes that they are depriving somebody of their liberty they must immediately notify their Shared Lives Manager.

12. To discuss and agree any daily routines and house rules as identified in the Carers Home Brochure during introductions to a new Shared Lives placement.

13. To enable the person to follow their religious and/or cultural customs.

14. To work in line with the risk management plan, inform the Shared Lives Manager of any additional or newly identified risks for the person and work with the Shared Lives Manager and others to find ways to manage those risks.

15. To identify any change in the needs of the person and bring this to the attention of the Shared Lives Manager and/or other relevant professionals, and to amend risk assessments accordingly.

16. To keep and maintain records about the person, their care and/or support, and the safekeeping of their money or valuables in line with HCC policy.

17. To co-operate with the Scheme and or any services delegated by them in carrying out health, safety and fire safety checks on their property. Health and safety checks should be seen as a joint exercise between the Scheme and the Shared Lives Carer, whereby the carer completes a health and safety checklist and signs a disclaimer to say that this has been completed to the best of their knowledge, and that the Shared Lives Manager will review annually and note any actions to be taken in a way to ensure the safety of all members of the household. If these actions are not completed the Shared Lives Manager will discuss a further plan of action in a formal meeting with the carer.

18. To notify the Scheme if there are any structural changes to the property in line with building regulations.

19. To keep all records about the person in a secure place and use appropriate internet security to protect all electronic files. To return all personal records to the Shared Lives Scheme when the placement comes to an end.



Shared Lives Scheme

20. Not to disclose any personal information about the person without his/her agreement, or the agreement of the Shared Lives Scheme, or being in line with the Shared Lives Scheme’s policy on Confidentiality. This applies regardless of whether the person is in a Shared Lives placement, or away from the placement, or after the placement has ended. Any breaches of confidentiality will be treated as a very serious matter and may lead to the ending of the Shared Lives Carer’s approval with the Shared Lives Scheme.

21. To follow HCC and the Shared Lives Scheme’s guidance for Handling Medicines whenever the Shared Lives Carer is involved in the safe keeping, handling, recording or administering of medicines to a person. The Safe Use of Medicines training must be completed every two years. If this training is not completed it may put at risk any current placements as you will not be providing a safe service. Any medication requirements must be transferred into the person’s All About Me (AAM).

22. The Shared Lives Scheme must check, assess and approve the Shared Lives Support Carer. Before considering any use of Shared Lives support Carers this must be discussed and agreed with the Shared Lives Manager. The Support Carers involvement in any placement must be recorded in the AAM and details of the Support Carers must be documented in the Carers Home Brochure. Shared Lives Carers are not able to directly employ staff to provide care to the person.

23. To work positively and co-operatively with the person’s family and/or representative and professionally with other people involved in the life of the person, with the consent of that person.

24. To engage positively with an Annual Review and 4 appraisals and monitoring visits by the Shared Lives Manager, allowing access to their homes at all reasonable times.

25. To undertake ALL mandatory training on an annual basis where required to keep the placements provided safe and in line with HCC Policies and Procedures. To undertake any additional training or learning opportunities identified during the review and monitoring visits. This will meet carers individual development needs and demonstrate the professional role that carers undertake.

26. To take part positively in any reviews concerning the person living within the



Shared Lives Scheme

Shared Lives placement.

27. To take part in a minimum of 3 Carers meetings and peer support groups per year.

28. The Shared Lives Carer informs the service user about planned visits by the Shared Lives Manager and other professionals involved in their care and support, and where appropriate, the Inspector from the CQC.

29. To inform the Shared Lives Scheme straight away about any allegations or concerns or suspicions about the possibility of abuse or neglect relating to the person and to follow the Shared Lives Schemes guidance on Safeguarding and Section 42 Enquiries

30. You must report this within 24 hours of the initial incident, if this occurs outside of usual Scheme hours contact the Out of Hours support line and then inform your Shared Lives Manager or Buddy within usual office hours.

31. To inform the Shared Lives Scheme (or Out of Hours emergency service) within 24 hours of any serious accident or incident involving the person, including:

Any serious infectious disease in the Shared Lives Carers home Any serious accident or injury or illness of the person Any event that may have an adverse effect on the person Any theft or burglary in the Shared Lives Carers home Any incident concerning the person which is reported to or investigated

by the police Any complaint or allegation made by the person against the Shared

Lives carer or any other person or against the Shared Lives Scheme Any unexplained absence of the person from the Shared Lives Carers

home. Any formal restraint which may restrict or deprive the person of their

liberty The death of the person

And to confirm any verbal notification in writing



Shared Lives Scheme

34. To inform the Shared Lives Scheme as soon as possible, even if they do not have anyone in a shared lives placement at the time of;

Any criminal or civil conviction Any proposed change of address Any proposed change of accommodation Any change in the composition of the household Any change in personal circumstances that may affect their ability to

support the person Any proposal to have time away from their caring role

And to confirm any verbal notification in writing.

35. To maintain insurance cover that meets the requirements of the Shared Lives service. Specifically:

Public liability insurance Household insurance Motor vehicle insurance to include business use

36. To fulfil their responsibilities as self-employed people for tax and National Insurance purposes.

37. To take full responsibility for managing the carers own accounts, highlighting any over or under payments received from HCC for any support they are providing

38. To take time for themselves and their family and have regular time apart from the person, when appropriate. Using the respite allowance allocated to the Scheme or in nominated cases HCC In-House respite services. Ensuring that any cover or planned respite break is in place before a holiday is booked.



Shared Lives Scheme39. To make use of HCC and the Shared Lives Scheme’s whistleblowing procedure

if they have any cause for concern about the conduct or practice of other Shared Lives Carers, Shared Lives Managers, volunteers or the Scheme Manager in the Shared Lives Scheme, or about the way the Shared Lives Scheme or staff operate.

40. To make use of the Shared Lives Scheme’s complaints procedure if they believe the Shared Lives Scheme has breached any of its responsibilities or if they are dissatisfied with any aspect of the Scheme.

41. To end a Shared Lives placement by giving written notice to the Shared Lives Service of at least 28 days

42. To give at least 8 weeks notice in writing to the Shared Lives Scheme if they wish to end this Shared Lives Carers Agreement and their work with the Shared Lives Scheme. If planning to retire during the year this should be discussed at the annual review so that plans can be put in place as early as possible to ensure a smooth transition for the Service users and carers.



Shared Lives SchemeThe Shared Lives Scheme agrees:

1. To allocate to each Shared Lives Carer a named Hampshire Shared Lives Manager, who will be responsible for their ongoing support and for the monitoring of their work. To also allocate a “Buddy” who will be available when the Shared Lives Manager is on annual leave or long term sickness.

2. To provide Shared Lives Carers with written information about the Roles and Responsibilities and operation of the Shared Lives Scheme. The Roles and Responsibilities of conduct and practice required of them in their role as a Shared Lives Carer. (See Attached Roles)

3. To provide a Shared Lives Carer’s Handbook with essential information and reference documents including copies of relevant policies, procedures and guidelines, and to make sure through training and explanation that the information is understood and easily found in the Handbook.

4. To provide the person who is in a Shared Lives placement with essential information about the Shared Lives Scheme in a language or format that they can easily understand.

5. To provide information and/or training to Shared Lives Carers so that they understand and can fulfil their legal responsibilities, follow safe working practices and support the person effectively.

6. To match people referred to the Shared Lives Scheme with appropriate Shared Lives Carer(s) and facilitate their introduction to the Shared Lives Carer(s) and their household/family in line with the Shared Lives Scheme’s policies and procedures for Matching and Introductions.

7. To make sure before the start of a new Shared Lives placement that Shared Lives Carers are provided with comprehensive information about the person including a copy of an up-to-date assessment, AAM and risk assessment.

8. To make sure before the start of a new Shared Lives placement that an AAM and Shared Lives Placement Agreement have been agreed with the person, their family or representative if appropriate, the Social Worker/Care Co-ordinator, the Shared Lives Carer and the Shared Lives Scheme.



Shared Lives Scheme

9. If a new Shared Lives placement has been made in an emergency, to provide the Shared Lives Carer with enough information about the person to ensure his/her safety and the safety of the Shared Lives Carer and others in their household and then to make sure that a Shared Lives Placement Agreement and AAM and other documents are provided within 72 hours, that falls in conjunction with a 72 Hour review. . The Scheme will support a Carer to say no to such emergency placements if they do not feel that they could offer a safe service with the information that has been provided.

10.To ensure that Shared Lives Carers have the skills and knowledge to meet the changing needs of the person, by providing regular supervision and monitoring visits and reviews as well as training and/or information and/or other development opportunities as required.

11.To obtain feedback about the Shared Lives placement and the Shared Lives Carer’s work from the person and/or their family or representative and from professionals that are involved with the person.

12.To provide the Shared Lives Carer(s) with clear information about emergency and out-of-hours support that is available to them.

13.To make sure that the Shared Lives Carer(s) are able to access any specialist training and/or information and/or aids or equipment that they need to carry out their tasks effectively.

14.To help the person and/or Shared Lives Carer(s) to obtain any specialist support or services required by the person.

15.To make sure that any identified unmet needs of the person are brought to the attention of the relevant professionals.

16.To review the Shared Lives placement at least annually or whenever there are significant changes in the health or circumstances of the person or the Shared Lives Carer(s).

17.To monitor and review the work of the Shared Lives Carer through three formal appraisals, one annual review and an unannounced visit per year.



Shared Lives Scheme18.To provide written confirmation to the Shared Lives Carer(s) of the fee to be paid

for each person that they are supporting and how this payment will be made; what the payment is made up of; how any additional costs will be met; and if and how the fee will be altered for any period when direct support is not being provided by the Shared Lives Carer e.g. during short breaks.

19.To provide support to the Shared Lives Carer(s) in obtaining the monies that are due, should there be delay or difficulty.

20.To enable Shared Lives Carers who provide longer term accommodation and support to have regular breaks from their caring role. This will need to be agreed on an individual basis with the Shared Lives Manager and documented in the Carers Home Brochure.

21.To promptly investigate all concerns or complaints about the Shared Lives Carer by following relevant Shared Lives Scheme policies and procedures. This includes alleged breaches of standards of conduct or practice, or breaches of the Shared Lives Carer Agreement, or allegations of abuse or neglect.

22.To ensure that if an allegation of abuse has been made against an Shared Lives Carer, the Shared Lives Carer:

Is given clear information about the relevant procedures and their right to legal advice and/or other forms of independent advocacy.

Continues to receive support from the Shared Lives Scheme. If they are a Shared Lives Plus member, the contact information for

someone within Shared Lives Plus who can provide information, advice and support during the allegation

23.To facilitate mentoring between Shared Lives Carers, including meetings or learning and development opportunities; this will include asking Shared Lives Carers to share their contact details with other Shared Lives Carers in the Scheme.

24. To give notice of termination as follows:-

For individual service users the first 4 weeks of any placement will be regarded as a trial period during which the Hampshire Shared Lives Scheme can give seven days notice (or such other period as may be



Shared Lives Scheme

agreed or payment in lieu of notice) of ending the Arrangement. After the first four weeks the usual notice period would be four weeks.

For short stays the notice period will be seven nights (or payment as appropriate in lieu of notice) or the remaining balance of the booked stay if less than seven nights remaining.

For the removal of Shared Lives Carer Approval the Hampshire Shared Lives Scheme will give eight weeks notice, or such other period as may be agreed. The reasons for ending the Carer Agreement will be given in writing and the Shared Lives Carer will be advised about the process by which they can appeal against the decision.

25. If a service user, their family or Care Manager cancels a short break with less than 24hours notice the carer should receive the full fee, or if a Carer has to cancel a short break with less than 24 hours they will need to re-arrange a mutually convenient alternative, and this will also need to be agreed with the care management team if this can not be facilitated in the current financial year.

26.To end a Carers Agreement there must be:

A review held by the Registered and Team Managers for the Shared Lives Carer, the Carer will be supported by their SLM.

If the Scheme is concerned that carers are providing an unsafe service notice can be given with immediate effect. Or a month’s formal warning notice will be issued whereby the carers will be issued a set of recommendations to be met to address the concerns raised.

This will then be followed by a panel interview where it will be decided if further actions are required, restrictions on the number of placements offered or de-approval.

The Shared Lives Carer will be given written information about the reasons for the decision as well as information about how to appeal against this

27.To manage the death of a service user as follows:-

For short stay service users the arrangement (and funding by Hampshire County Council) will cease on the date of the death.



Shared Lives Scheme

For long stay service users any payment by Hampshire County Council will normally cease two days after the date of death unless the Shared Lives Carer has been specifically requested by the Shared Lives Manager to assist the family (or in lieu of the family) to make all necessary arrangements regarding the funeral. In these cases a further payment of up to five additional days may be paid.

Payments after a service user’s death for rent and food and household bills will be the longer of the same periods or as directed by the relevant benefit agencies.

28.To make payments for Hampshire County Council-funded placements as follows:-

Invoices in respect of new long stay arrangement and short stays will be submitted to the designated Hampshire County Council department. Invoices will be paid at the latest within 28 days of receipt.

When a new long stay placement begins the service user will contribute to the food and household bills from day 1. When the placement is made permanent payments for rent and additional contributions will be assessed at the 28 day review.

Payment arrangements for private or other Local Authority-funded placements will be individually negotiated and written confirmation will be given to the Shared Lives Carer.

29. In line with Hampshire County Councils whistleblowing policy the Registered Manager and Team Manager will take all concerns seriously and deal with them confidentially and promptly and support you throughout this process.



Shared Lives Scheme

I/We ............................................................................................................(Name of Shared Lives Carer(s))

have read and understand the Shared Lives Carer’s agreement between me/us and

......................................................................................................................(Name of Shared Lives Scheme)

and agree to undertake the Carer’s responsibilities outlined in this Shared Lives Carer’s agreement in so far as it is reasonably possible.

Signature (Shared Lives Carer 1): ………....…………....…………................

Date: .................................................

Signature (Shared Lives Carer 2):………....…………....………….................

Date: .................................................

I ……………………………………………………………………..…………….. (Name of Shared Lives Manager)

Acting on behalf of …………………………………………………………….…(Name of Shared Lives Scheme)

Agrees to undertake the Shared Lives Scheme’s responsibilities outlined in this Shared Lives Carers agreement in so far as it is reasonably possible.



Shared Lives SchemeSignature(s): ………....…………....…………................................................

Date: .................................................


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