Archived: Voyage (DCA) Berkshire

Voyage (DCA) Berkshire provides care and support to people diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder, mental health needs or living with learning disabilities, dementia, sensory impairments or physical disabilities. At the time of the inspection it was providing support to 55 people who used the regulated service. This service provides care and support to people living in “supported living” settings so that they can live in their own home as independently as possible.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

• The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on providing opportunities for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

• People received good quality care that was safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led. Overall, people and their relatives provided positive feedback about all aspects of the care they received.

• People were protected from avoidable harm and abuse by staff, who understood their role and responsibility in relation to safeguarding and keeping them safe. Staff ensured the human rights of people who lacked a voice, were upheld and respected. People experienced safe care, delivered in accordance with their comprehensive risk assessments and management plans. The service always deployed enough suitable staff to meet people’s needs.

• Staff felt they were valued and respected by the management team, who actively sought their involvement to improve and develop the service. Staff completed an effective induction programme, then were enabled by the provider to develop and maintain the required skills to meet people’s needs effectively. The registered manager completed regular competency checks to ensure staff delivered care in accordance with their training.

• People were treated with kindness and compassion by staff, who were described as caring, gentle and patient. People received care from a consistent staff team, with whom they had built trusting relationships. People were actively involved in making decisions about their care.

• People consistently received individualised care that was tailored and responsive to their needs. Staff identified the communication needs of people with a disability or sensory loss and effectively shared this information with others when required. People were supported to engage in stimulating activities of their choice and to maintain relationships with people that were important to them.

• People knew how to make a complaint and were confident the provider would address their concerns. Complaints were responded to and used to improve the quality of people’s care.

• The provider had received compliments from relatives in relation to the compassionate care provided to their family members at the end of their life.

• The service was well-led, with the registered manager providing clear and direct leadership, which had cultivated a positive, open and empowering culture. The registered manager worked effectively in partnership with professionals from multi-disciplinary teams to ensure people were integrated into their local community and had their health and social care needs met.

Rating at last inspection:

This service was registered with us on 15 February 2019 and this was the first inspection.

Why we inspected:

This was a planned, comprehensive inspection.

Follow up:

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the Care Quality Commission website at www.cqc.org.uk.