This inspection was announced and took place on 28 November 2016 and 15 December 2016. The provider was given 48 hours' notice because we needed to be sure the registered

manager would be available for the inspection

Voyage (DCA) Clacton provides support to older people and people with a learning difficulty living in their own home and support to people living in six supported living settings. People who live in the supported living properties had individual tenancy agreements.

The service had a registered manager in place. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission 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.

Care and support plans contained information on the way people wished to receive their care. These were regularly reviewed in consultation with the person receiving the support. Care and support plans contained information on how risks to people were managed and put in place actions to mitigate any identified risks. The service had identified that although they gave sufficient information the design of the care plan may not always meet the differing needs of the people they were supporting. Care plans were being re-designed in consultation with care staff to ensure they were in the most appropriate format.

Staff supporting people in their own homes arrived on time and carried out the care and support required. Where people lived in a supported living environment there was a dedicated staff team meaning people had a consistency of support.

The service had identified some problems with the administration of medicines. They had worked to address these issues providing further training and support to staff.

People are supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff support them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice.

Staff supported people with their community involvement and develop their interests. The service offices were used as a hub for events and meetings promoting people’s involvement in the service and wider community.

There were systems in place to monitor the care provided and people's views and opinions were sought. The registered manager had action in place to further develop feedback on the service from people and staff