ARCH Winchester

Updated 6 March 2019

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

The inspection took place on 16 January 2019. It included visiting the office location to meet the registered manager; and to review care records, policies, and systems related to the running of the service. We visited the ‘supported living setting’ and spoke to two people. One inspector carried out this inspection.

Before the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. Before the inspection, we received feedback from one social worker and one healthcare professional, who had recent experience working with the provider.

During the inspection, we also spoke with the registered manager and one member of staff. After the inspection, we received written feedback from two social workers who had recent experience of working with the provider.

We looked at care plans and associated records for three people and records relating to the management of the service. These included three staff recruitment files, accidents and incidents, quality assurance records and records of complaints. We looked at key policies developed by the provider.

The was our first inspection of the service since it registered with CQC in November 2017.

Updated 6 March 2019

This inspection took place on between 16 January 2019.

ARCH Winchester provides care and support to three people living in one ‘supported living’ setting, so that they can live as independently as possible. People’s care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support.

At the time of the inspection, care and support was provided to three adults living in their own home who have mental health needs and a history of substance misuse. The provider was commissioned to provide staff at the home on a 24/7 basis, but people accessed the care and support flexibly when needed.

The service had a registered manager in place at the time of our inspection. 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. The registered manager was also the provider.

People told us they felt safe receiving care from staff. The provider had systems in place to protect people from abuse and harm. They had made referrals to appropriate safeguarding bodies when concerns were raised.

There were enough staff in place to meet people’s needs. People were given a choice about staff and worked with small teams who knew their needs well. The registered manager oversaw the recruitment, training and induction of new staff and monitored their working performance to help ensure staff were effective in their role.

People received personalised care which was in line with their needs and preferences. People were involved in planning and reviewing their care. Staff worked with people to build their independent living skills by making choices which promoted their independence. Staff understood the need to gain consent to care and respected people’s right to decline care.

People were treated with dignity and respect and received care which reflected their equality, diversity and human rights.

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

The provider assessed people’s needs to help ensure they received appropriate care. Care plans were developed and reviewed in partnership with people. They were based on delivering positive outcomes for people and incorporated information about people’s needs and preferences. Care plans covered a range of areas including the support people needed with their medicines, nutrition, mental health, communication and healthcare needs.

When people’s needs changed, their care plans were reviewed and the provider sought appropriate input from external health and social care professionals to help ensure people’s needs were met.

Risks to people’s health and wellbeing were assessed and mitigated. There were comprehensive plans in place to support people with their mental health needs and support in relation to substance abuse.

The registered manager had a good insight into the day to day running of the service. They regularly worked alongside people and staff and were available outside of office hours to provide advice and support.

The registered manager had implemented a series of audits and checks of the quality and safety of the service.

The provider had implemented an electronic care planning and monitoring system which enabled senior staff to monitor the care being deliver in real time. People’s care plans were updated through this system, which meant that staff had access to the most up to date information.

There were systems in place to respond appropriately to people’s feedback, concerns and complaints. The registered manager sought feedback from a range of sources to assess the quality of the service.

There were procedures in place to protect against the risk of infections spreading.

Nobody using the service was receiving end of life care at the time of inspection.