Voyage 1 Limited - 694 Pinner Road

Updated 21 May 2022

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

One Inspector, a member of the CQC medicines team and an Expert by Experience carried out the inspection. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Pinner Road is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service had a manager registered with the CQC. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced

What we did before inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with two people who used the service and three relatives about their experience of the care provided. Not all people were able to communicate verbally with us. We looked at these people’s care by reading their care and communication plans and speaking to staff or relatives and the person themselves.

We spoke with six members of staff including the registered manager, deputy manager, senior carer and care staff.

We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records. We reviewed medicine administration records and medicine related care plans for six people living at the home. We reviewed medicines management policies and procedures in place at the home. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We spoke with one professional who regularly visit the service.

Updated 21 May 2022

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it.

About the service

Voyage 694 Pinner Road is registered to provide personal care and accommodation for eight people with a learning disability and autistic people. During the day of our inspection the service provided care and support to seven people.

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

People’s medicines were managed safely. However, we made a recommendation for the provider to seek further guidance around updating people’s medicines care plans and systems when receiving and acting on medicine alerts. Although there was no evidence of poor management of medicines, these improvements would overall provide greater protection to people who received help with taking their medicines. Following the inspection, we received evidence the provider was acting to ensure sound medicines management was practised so that relevant policies and procedures were followed.

People were protected from the risk of harm and abuse. There were effective systems and processes in place to minimise risks to people. Risks had been identified, assessed and reviewed. Care workers knew how to identify and report concerns. They had been recruited safely and showed good knowledge and skills in relevant areas including medicines administration and infection control. They demonstrated dignity, respect and compassion in interactions with people.

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.

The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture.

Right Support

People were supported to develop skills in order to do things as independently as possible. There was a structure to support a values-led culture. Notably, there was a strong emphasis on inclusion and creating opportunities for people to participate in ordinary activities and improving their personal dignity.

Right Care

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. The service used positive behaviour support approach, which was opposed to restrictive practices.

Right culture

Pinner Road has an open culture enabling people to make informed and safe choices about their lives. Care staff engaged and respected people’s decisions. Relatives spoke positively about Pinner Road and told us that they liked it to be a small home which had a family like atmosphere.

The provider had a range of quality assurance processes, including systems necessary to maintain safe environments. The registered manager and the deputy manager ensured policies and procedures met current legislation and were up to date. Relatives told us they were asked of their views about the quality of the service.

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

Rating at last inspection and update –

The last rating for this service was good (report published 3 March 2020)

Why we inspected

We undertook this inspection to assess that the service is applying the principles of Right support right care right culture. The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received around unsafe treatment of people, poor management of medicines and people’s needs around eating and drinking not being met. A decision was made for us to undertake a focused inspection to review the key questions of safe, effective, responsive and well-led only.

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.