During an assessment under our new approach
Date of Assessment: 6 August to 26 August 2025. The service is a care home providing support to adults of all ages, with some living with dementia. At the time of this inspection, 101 people were living at the service. This assessment was prompted by information received by CQC about the decline in standards of care and the risk to safety of people living at Arncliffe Court Care Home. The service was not safe. The provider lacked a positive learning culture, and managers did not investigate incidents thoroughly. Staff did not understand or manage risks safely, and the facilities and equipment did not meet people’s needs. Some areas were unclean, environmental safety checks were inconsistent, and systems for cleanliness and hygiene were not maintained adequately. Staffing levels were insufficient, and staff lacked the necessary skills, qualifications, and experience. Managers did not ensure staff received appropriate training or regular supervision to maintain high-quality care. Medicines, including controlled drugs, were not managed safely, and people were not involved in decisions about changes to their care. Risks to people were not thoroughly assessed or reviewed. People were not involved in the development of their care plans and assessments of their needs. Assessments did not consider people’s communication, personal, and health needs. Care was not planned or delivered using evidence based on good practice or standards. Care plans did not always contain specific information staff needed to effectively assist people to manage risks or protect others. Some care records contained other people’s names and information not relevant to their needs. There was no clear rationale for how people were allocated to units, and in some cases, the unit they were placed in did not meet their individual needs. Staff did not always work with other agencies involved in people’s care to achieve the best outcomes and smooth transitions when moving between services. Staff did not make sure people understood their care and treatment to enable them to give informed consent. Staff did not make decisions in people’s best interests where they lacked capacity. Some people were able to give consent to their care and support; however, where people lacked capacity, the provider did not always work in accordance with the law and current best practice guidelines. However, people had enough to eat and drink to stay healthy. Staff did not always protect people’s privacy and dignity, nor were they treated as individuals. People were encouraged to maintain relationships with family and friends. The providers governance systems were ineffective. The provider did not have effective systems to monitor medicine stock levels or identify when supplies were running low. The provider failed to complete effective checks on the physical environment. When risks were known or suspected, the provider failed to assess and manage these to minimise harm or recurrence. Although leaders were visible, they lacked knowledge in supporting staff, helping them develop in their roles, or understanding their responsibilities. However, staff felt supported to give feedback and were treated equally.
We found breaches of legal regulations in relation to safe care and treatment, consent, medicine management, infection control and prevention (IPC) staffing, and governance.
This service is being placed in special measures. The purpose of special measures is to ensure services providing inadequate care make significant improvements. Special measures provide a framework within which we use our enforcement powers in response to inadequate care and provide a timeframe within which providers must improve the quality of the care they provide.