Archived: Valley Care & Support

Family members spoke confidently about the service provision from Valley Care Support (VCS). One person told us 'We were consulted on the care plan; we decided what we liked' another person said 'I have complex personal care needs'.

One family member told us that 'I trust them with my life, you don't have to ask them to do anything'. One person told us' I trust them with my personal belongings, nothing has ever gone missing'. A member of staff showed us the lesson plan which was being prepared for the forthcoming staff training session in safeguarding.

The provider took steps to ensure that the staff team were properly supported with regular supervision and appraisals. The staff members we spoke with told us that 'It's a lovely place to work we get to know the clients really well'.

The provider quality assessed the service in November 2012 via feedback forms; we were able to see that people and their family members commented positively on how the service was being managed. However, there were no feedback forms which were used to monitor the service for 2013. We were therefore unable to fully examine how the service was being monitored for the quality of care provided.

We found that people's needs were assessed and individual care plans written to meet assessed needs. We saw the provider had a system in place to check that care plans were followed. The provider told us of on call arrangements that were in place to deal with emergencies.

Staff were trained in safeguarding and they were able to tell us what action they would take if abuse was suspected, witnessed or alleged. We found the provider had responded appropriately by raising concerns to the correct people.

We found the provider ensured there were enough staff to meet people's needs and that staff were trained and supervised. Family members told us the staff were "very good" and "I have no complaints at all". We saw written feedback from people commenting that staff were 'punctual' and 'the two staff I have are very good at their jobs'.

The provider asked people and their representatives for their views and made changes as a result of comments made where appropriate. Family members and staff told us they were able to make comments on how the service was provided.