26 July 2013
During a routine inspection
On the day of our visit there were seven younger adults living at Branwell Manor, three of whom were wheelchair users. During our visit we spoke with the registered manager, a senior support worker, support worker and one of the people living at the home. We also looked at two sets of care records and three staff personnel files.
Throughout our observations we saw people living at the home appeared relaxed in their surroundings and were engaged in different activities. We observed interactions between people and staff that were positive, people frequently laughed or smiled. Staff gently reassured and supported people if they became unsettled or anxious.
We saw people's individual needs were assessed thoroughly and care and support was developed from an assessment of their needs. People were encouraged to be independent and to make choices for themselves if they were able to.
There were sufficient numbers of staff with the right knowledge, experience, skills and qualifications to support people at all times. Staff received appropriate training and were qualified and experienced to carry out their role. They told us they felt well-supported by the managers.
When we spoke with a support worker and a senior support worker they told us Voyage was a good company to work for and they felt confident the service provided was good. They told us they had a good staff team working at the home and felt well-supported by their managers.
The manager told us 'I truly believe this team works together and staff do their best; the people that live here have good, fulfilled lives.'
Staff told us people living at the home and their relatives knew how to complain and several of them had done so. We saw evidence that complaints were dealt with effectively and to the satisfaction of the person making the complaint. The person we spoke with confirmed that they felt any complaints or concerns they had were dealt with appropriately.