Arundel House

We were not assured the provider was promoting safety through the hygiene practices for the premises or ensuring infection outbreaks would be effectively prevented or managed.

Risks were not always identified and managed, meaning people were potentially at risk of harm. There was a lack of good governance and oversight of the service. Staff appeared to understand and meet people's needs and preferences, however, they had not received training about some people's needs, for example, epilepsy, and learning disability.

Medicines were managed safely despite a lack of audits.

The home facilitated visits from family members and relatives told us staff were welcoming, friendly and helpful.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests. However, the policies and systems in the service were not always in place to support this practice.

People and relatives told us they thought the service was well led, and that they (or their relatives) felt people received safe care and were happy living there.

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right support, right care, right culture is the statutory guidance which supports CQC to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people. We considered this guidance as there were people using the service who have a learning disability and or who are autistic.

We have made a recommendation about ongoing DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks in staff

recruitment.