Partnership and Multi-Agency Working Audit - Supported Living

Evidence to check

• • Policy or framework for partnership working is current and relevant to supported living
• • Framework includes health, social care, housing, safeguarding, advocacy and community partners
• • Staff can explain when and how to involve external agencies
• • Partnership working is linked to tenant outcomes, not just information sharing

Evidence to check

• • Support plans identify key professionals such as GP, social worker, housing provider, OT, mental health team, district nurse or pharmacist
• • Professional involvement is based on the tenant's needs, wishes and risks
• • Tenant consent or legal basis for involvement is recorded
• • External input is reflected in the support plan

Evidence to check

• • Support plan or communication log includes current professional contact details
• • Roles of housing provider, care provider, health professionals and social workers are clear
• • Emergency and out-of-hours contacts are included where relevant
• • Contact details are reviewed and updated regularly

Evidence to check

• • Meeting invitations, attendance records or minutes
• • Tenant views are represented where possible
• • Actions from meetings are recorded, allocated and followed up
• • Support plans and risk assessments are updated after meetings

Evidence to check

• • Consent to share information is recorded
• • Information sharing decisions are proportionate and relevant
• • Rationale is recorded where information is shared without consent
• • Staff understand confidentiality does not prevent safeguarding escalation

Evidence to check

• • Transition or discharge planning records
• • Professional, housing and family involvement where appropriate
• • Medication, risk, equipment, communication and support needs are updated before transfer or return
• • Follow-up checks confirm the transition was safe and person-centred

Evidence to check

• • Professional visit notes or correspondence
• • Support plan updated after professional advice
• • Staff are informed of new guidance before providing support
• • Actions are followed up and reviewed for effectiveness

Evidence to check

• • Communication records with landlord or housing provider
• • Repairs, hazards and tenancy concerns are logged and tracked
• • Responsibilities between care and housing provider are clear
• • Unresolved housing risks are escalated through management, commissioner or safeguarding routes where needed

Evidence to check

• • Staff training or guidance on multi-agency working
• • Staff can explain the difference between care provider, housing provider, social worker, commissioner and health professional roles
• • Support plans identify who is responsible for key actions
• • Gaps or confusion between agencies are escalated and resolved

Evidence to check

• • Safeguarding referral records
• • Local authority communication and outcome records
• • Actions are tracked and completed
• • Support plans and risk assessments are updated after safeguarding outcomes

Evidence to check

• • Health action plans, hospital passports or specialist reports are available where relevant
• • Documents are current and accessible to authorised staff
• • Tenant consent and confidentiality are considered
• • Key information is reflected in daily support guidance

Evidence to check

• • Advocacy information is available in accessible formats
• • Advocacy referrals are made where appropriate
• • Support plans record when advocacy is needed or declined
• • Tenant's own voice remains central in decisions

Evidence to check

• • Emergency incident records
• • Rationale for contacting emergency services is recorded
• • Follow-up actions and professional advice are documented
• • Learning is shared through supervision, team meetings or governance

Evidence to check

• • Discharge plans or crisis team handover records
• • Support plan updated before or immediately after return
• • Medication, equipment, mobility, mental health and risk changes are reflected
• • Staff are briefed before the next support visit

Evidence to check

• • Review invitations or professional consultation records
• • Professional input is sought for complex or changing needs
• • Tenant consent and preference are considered before involving others
• • Advice is recorded and followed up

Evidence to check

• • Feedback from professionals, housing providers, commissioners or community partners
• • Communication issues or compliments are reviewed
• • Actions are taken to improve joint working
• • Feedback themes are discussed in governance or quality meetings

Evidence to check

• • Records of delays, missed actions or communication concerns
• • Escalation where external delays create risk
• • Learning is used to improve referral, communication or follow-up systems
• • Repeated partnership issues are raised at management or commissioner level

Evidence to check

• • Referral tracker or communication log
• • Referral dates, responses and outcomes are recorded
• • Delayed or rejected referrals are followed up
• • Tenant and staff are updated on progress where appropriate

Evidence to check

• • Information-sharing policy and staff guidance
• • Staff understand consent, lawful basis and safeguarding exceptions
• • Records show relevant information is shared securely
• • Data breaches or inappropriate sharing concerns are recorded and reviewed

Evidence to check

• • Tenant is told who is involved and why in accessible language
• • Consent to involve family, advocates or professionals is recorded
• • Tenant's choice to exclude others is respected where lawful and safe
• • Staff do not involve others unnecessarily or without clear reason

Evidence to check

• • Joint working plans or meeting actions identify responsible people
• • Care provider, housing provider, health professional and social worker responsibilities are clear
• • Actions have timescales and follow-up arrangements
• • Unclear responsibilities are escalated promptly

Evidence to check

• • Records of partnerships with local organisations or services
• • Partnerships link to tenant goals and quality of life
• • Tenants are offered relevant opportunities based on choice
• • Outcomes from partnerships are reviewed

Evidence to check

• • Team meeting minutes or supervision records
• • Learning from professional input, safeguarding or complex cases is shared appropriately
• • Confidentiality is maintained when discussing cases
• • Learning leads to changes in support plans or practice

Evidence to check

• • Current directory or list of local resources
• • Resources include health, mental health, falls prevention, social prescribing, advocacy, community groups and crisis support
• • Staff know how to signpost or refer where appropriate
• • Resources are matched to tenant interests and needs

Evidence to check

• • Communication records with relevant partners
• • Changes are shared only where relevant and lawful
• • Partners are informed promptly when changes affect safety or continuity
• • Tenant consent and confidentiality are considered

Evidence to check

• • Governance records include partnership working themes
• • Referral outcomes, delays, safeguarding, professional input and housing issues are reviewed
• • Actions are agreed for gaps in partnership working
• • Tenant outcomes are used to judge effectiveness, not only meeting attendance

Evidence to check

• • Tenant views are included in meetings and reviews
• • Accessible preparation is offered before meetings
• • Tenant is supported to ask questions or challenge decisions
• • Advocacy is offered where the tenant needs support to participate

Evidence to check

• • Records of professional disagreement or disputed responsibility
• • Escalation to managers, commissioners, safeguarding or legal routes where needed
• • Interim safety measures are recorded
• • Tenant is kept informed where appropriate

Evidence to check

• • Audit records include outcome review after referrals or meetings
• • Tenant feedback is included where possible
• • Audit checks whether professional advice was followed
• • Actions from audits lead to improved communication, responsiveness or outcomes