Vivo celebrates accreditation for autism services

Cheshire West and Chester Council company Vivo Care Choices has been given accreditation by the National Autistic Society (NAS) for its supported living services at Dover Drive in Ellesmere Port.

Dover Drive is one of Vivo’s many services across west Cheshire, delivering specialist supported living services for adults with learning disabilities and autism.

NAS carried out an assessment at Dover Drive in November 2020, awarding an accreditation. As all of Vivo’s regulated services have now been rated as ‘good’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), this latest accreditation from NAS reinforces the continuous improvements made over the last couple of years.

NAS’ assessment highlighted the long-standing staff team has a sound knowledge of the people it supports. Through interviews and observations, staff demonstrated they know the likes, preferences and dislikes of people using services and gave examples of how this information is used in the planning and delivery of activities.

It also reported how staff have a good understanding of the communication nuances of each individual, allowing them to express their needs through their specific communication method. Careful considerations have been made to the environment within homes to make sure they meet the sensory preferences of each individual.

Janice Fryer, Director of Operations at Vivo, said: “Luke Sheehan and his staff team at Dover Drive have made excellent progress and the service is the most recent one to be rated as ‘good’ by the CQC.

“The National Autistic Society is a leading charity for people with autism and their families. This accreditation shows our services at Dover Drive are of a high quality and being delivered in a way that’s right for people who depend on them.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has provided many challenges for us at Vivo, but our staff have been incredibly professional and flexible to make sure people are still being supported in the best possible way.”

Councillor Val Armstrong, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, added: “Our Council company Vivo has made significant improvements to many of its services over the last couple of years and it’s fantastic to see it receiving further accreditations from the National Autistic Society.

“Dover Drive provides such invaluable support for people with autism and their families. This has never been more important than during the pandemic.”

Pictured - Gareth, who uses Vivo Care Choices' services at Dover Drive, keeps active in the garden.