Background to this inspection
Updated
6 May 2017
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
The inspection took place on 18 and 20 April 2017. It was carried out by one inspector and was announced. We gave the registered manager 48 hours' notice because the location provides a domiciliary care service and we needed to make sure someone would be in the office. We were assisted on the day of our inspection by the registered manager.
Before the inspection, the registered manager completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We looked at the PIR and at all the information we had collected about the service. This included information received and notifications the registered manager had sent us. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to tell us about by law.
As part of the inspection we spoke with the registered manager and five people who use the service. We received feedback from eight members of the care staff. We also received feedback from one relative and six health and social care professionals.
We looked at four people's care plans, monitoring records and medication sheets, six staff recruitment files, staff training records and the staff supervision and annual appraisal log. We reviewed a number of other documents relating to the management of the service. For example, safeguarding records, management quarterly audits, incidents records and staff meeting minutes.
Updated
6 May 2017
This inspection took place on 18 and 20 April 2017 and was announced. We gave the registered manager 48 hours' notice because the location provides a domiciliary care service and we needed to make sure someone would be in the office. This was the first inspection of the service since it was added to the provider's registration on 26 April 2016.
Voyage (DCA) Berkshire is a domiciliary care service providing personal care to people in their own homes. At the time of our inspection 23 of the 27 people receiving a service were living in supported living accommodation.
The service had a registered manager as required. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the CQC to manage the service. Like registered 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 registered manager was present and assisted us during the inspection.
People were protected from the risks of abuse. Some staff recruitment issues were identified, but were dealt with by the registered manager before the end of the inspection. People and a relative confirmed people were encouraged and supported to maintain and increase their independence.
People received effective care and support from staff who knew them well and were well trained. They told us staff had the training and skills they needed when providing their care and support. People received effective health care and support. Medicines were stored and handled correctly and safely.
People were treated with care and kindness. They were consulted about their support and could change how things were done if they wanted to. People were treated with respect and their dignity was upheld. This was confirmed by people and a relative we spoke with.
People's rights to make their own decisions were protected. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
Where people were potentially being deprived of their liberty, the service had made the relevant commissioning authorities aware. This was so that commissioners could make applications to the Court of Protection for the appropriate authorisations.
People's right to confidentiality was protected and they received support that was individualised to their personal preferences and needs. People's diversity needs were identified and incorporated into their care plans where applicable.
People knew how to complain and knew the process to follow if they had concerns. They confirmed they felt the staff and management would act upon any concern raised.
Staff were happy working for the service and people benefitted from staff who felt well managed and supported. People and a relative told us the service was well-led, which was confirmed by health and social care professionals.
People benefitted from a service which had an open and inclusive culture and encouraged suggestions and ideas for improvement from people who use the service, their relatives and staff.