We carried out a review of the data available to us about Voyage (DCA) Hampshire on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Voyage (DCA) Hampshire, you can give feedback on this service.
Voyage (DCA) Hampshire is a registered care provider providing personal care to people as part of the support that they need to live in their own homes. The personal care is provided under separate contractual arrangements to those for the person’s housing. The accommodation is often shared, but can be a single household.
At the time of the inspection Voyage (DCA) Hampshire were supporting 94 people across Hampshire. Some people had chosen to live with other people in the same house and some people had chosen to live by themselves. People’s support needs were varied and Voyage (DCA) Hampshire had 252 care staff employed at the time of the inspection to ensure their needs were met. Some people only needed support for a few hours a day whilst others needed support 24/7, this support included waking night staff and sleep-in staff for some.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People told us they felt safe and knew who to talk to if they had any concerns. The registered manager understood their responsibilities to safeguard people from abuse and there were clear processes and systems in place to ensure they were alerted to any safeguarding concerns relating to any of the supported living services.
Some people and family members told us they felt additional staffing was needed in some of the supported living services. Staff told us they had sufficient staffing levels. We observed safe staffing levels throughout the inspection.
People received their medicines in line with their preferences and by staff who knew them well.
The registered manager had oversight of accidents and incidents and was able to review incidents for any of the supported living services as required. Accidents and incidents were documented and investigated with action taken to prevent a reoccurrence and lessons learnt.
The service had a robust and comprehensive assessment process in place to ensure people's needs could be met. People had confidence in the ability of staff and felt they were well trained. There was a robust and in-depth induction process for new staff. We have made a recommendation in relation to how the provider prioritises the roll out of training in daily record keeping.
The manager and staff demonstrated their knowledge and understanding regarding the principles of the MCA. People's consent had been sought for their care needs. People were generally positive about the quality of care and support people received. We saw people being supported using their preferred communication methods and staff demonstrated an awareness and understanding of people's needs. People were encouraged to express their views and opinions and supported to make choices and decisions.
The COVID-19 pandemic had placed additional pressures on the supported living services. The provider told us the priority had been ensuring people were safe during the pandemic. The provider had utilised different communication methods to support people to maintain contact with their relatives and friends.
Staff felt supported by the registered manager and provider. The provider had regular operational meetings to review best practice and share lessons learnt. Staff had access to policies and procedures which encouraged an open and transparent approach. The provider's vision and values focused on person-centeredness, being passionate about making a difference to people's lives and ensuring positive outcomes for people.
Some family members and professionals told us that communication could be improved from the provider in relation to one supported living service where there were concerns around continuity of care for people and the impact this had on them. However, the provider acknowledged this and had taken action to address the concerns.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right Support, right care, right culture is the statutory guidance which supports CQC to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.
The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture. The culture in the service was not risk adverse. People were supported to take positive risks and the provider supported and promoted people’s independence.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
This service was registered with us on 06/06/2020 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about medicines, staffing and lack of oversight by the provider. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks.
We have found evidence that the provider needs to make improvements. Please see the 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.
sections of this full report.