Shared Lives Northumberland recruits, trains and supports Shared Lives Northumberland carers. We refer to Shared Lives Northumberland carers as ‘carers’ throughout this report. A carer is an individual who provides personal care together with accommodation in their own home. This enables people to live as independently as possible. Carers are self-employed and no more than three people live with them at any one time. The scheme supports people aged over 18 who have a learning disability.

The scheme provides three main services: long term accommodation, short breaks and emergency accommodation, care and support which is provided at short notice and usually in the event of an illness or family crisis.

Shared Lives Northumberland has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

At our last inspection in January 2016, we rated the service as good. The service moved address following our previous inspection. This is our first inspection of the location at the new address.

At this inspection, we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns.

The service had a registered manager in place. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to manage the service. Like providers, they are 'registered persons'. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

The service was delivered by the registered manager and three coordinators. Managerial oversight was provided by an operations manager. Staff told us there was enough capacity to provide support at the current level.

There was a structured assessment and approval process used by the provider. This planned approach ensured they were able to match people up with shared lives carers in a timely manner.

People told us they felt safe living with their carers. Staff and carers had received training with regards to safeguarding adults.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff and carers supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

We observed relaxed relationships between people and their carers. Carers informed us that they considered that people who lived and stayed with them were part of their extended family. One carer told us, “This is their home. I look upon them as a son.”

People's needs were assessed and care records called "All about me" detailed the type of support they required. People had access to information about their care and support.

The registered manager attended regular shared lives network meetings and conferences to identify examples of good practice to ensure they were providing a good service.

The provider had in place systems to effectively manage the service and monitor quality.