Between 21 and 27 November, it’s Safeguarding Adults Week 2022, a campaign that Share and Care Homeshare support.
Safeguarding Adults Week 2022 is an opportunity for organisations to come together to raise awareness of important safeguarding issues. It aims to highlight key safeguarding issues, start conversations and raise awareness of safeguarding best practice.
On Thursday 24 November, the Ann Craft Trust focuses on the theme of ‘Elder Abuse.’ Share and Care Homeshare takes safeguarding very seriously and we would like to provide an insight into our best practice and share the steps we take to ensure the safeguarding of older people in homeshare arrangements.
Over the years there has been somewhat of a myth over safeguarding in a homeshare context, with some conceiving that processes may not be robust enough as they do not have to meet CQC regulations. To debunk this myth, we can assure people that the reality is completely different.
As homesharers do not provide personal or nursing care, there is no CQC requirement; however reputable organisations like us ensure that homesharers are checked to the same level as CQC regulated carers. In fact, the policies and procedures in place here at Share and Care Homeshare may go over and above those required by residential or home care providers.
All homesharers undergo an enhanced DBS check which is renewed every 3 years, plus an ID and credit check. In addition, potential homesharers must provide at least two character and professional references.
During the next stage, we undertake very detailed interviews with potential sharers including finding out about their life and background to ensure they are a suitable match for our householders. We match people carefully, thinking about culture, language, personal preference, diet, interests, and much more to ensure a good match. With our matches lasting on average 15 months or more, we know this formula works well!
On top of this we endeavour to find out as much as possible about a potential householder to ensure that the homeshare arrangement is appropriate for their situation and support needs, both for their safety and that of their homesharer. This can also involve contacting family members, health officials, or social workers as part of the support checks.
Behind the scenes we also monitor safeguarding aspects which includes areas such as checking that policies are up-to-date and relevant, to regular reviews of the reporting procedure.
Following a successful match, Share and Care Homeshare maintains regular on-going contact with the sharer, the householder and their family; helping and supporting people to live happily, healthy, and safely in homeshare arrangements and providing peace of mind for everyone.
Share and Care Homeshare supports #SafeguardingAdultsWeek
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