Arlington House

We identified an area of practice that needed improvement. The information and assessments of risk in people’s care were not routinely kept up to date and relevant to guide safe practice. Medicines were overall safely managed and administered, and there were enough staff to ensure people’s safety and meet their needs. Staff received training to allow them to support people safely and effectively. People’s concerns were listened to and acted upon. Staff were trained in safeguarding and understood how to protect people from the risk of abuse. Staff knew people well and were confident and competent at keeping them safe.

We identified an area of practice that needed improvement, in respect to person centred care planning. However, we saw that staff knew people well. Staff supported people with kindness, dignity and respect. There was a cheerful, friendly atmosphere in the service, and we saw people were being encouraged by staff to remain as independent as possible.

We identified one breach of the legal regulations.

Systems of audit, quality monitoring and governance were not in place at the service. This lack of oversight from the provider had resulted in several areas of practice, such as the reviewing of risk assessments and person centred care planning not routinely happening. This resulted in a breach of good governance. You can find more details of our concerns in the evidence category findings below.

We assessed a limited number of quality statements in the well-led key question and found both areas of concern and good practice. The scores for these areas have been combined with scores based on the rating from the last inspection, which was good. Our rating for the key question has changed to requires improvement.

The manager was aware of the issues and an action plan with timescales and dedicated members of staff to drive improvement at the service had been developed. People and staff were positive about the overall culture and leadership within the service. Staff were aware of the improvements required and were positive these improvements would take place. However, it will take time and more work for the new systems and improvements to be fully implemented and embedded throughout the service.