This inspection took place on 3 and 7 August 2018 and was announced.

The service location was registered in August 2017 and has not previously been inspected.

This service provides care and support to people living in eight ‘supported living’ settings, so that they can live in their own home 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 the service were providing the regulated activity ‘Personal Care’ to 17 people.

The service has a registered manager in post. 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 service had robust systems and processes in place to keep people safe. Risk management plans were reviewed regularly to reflect people’s changing needs and gave staff sufficient guidance. Robust pre-employment checks were carried out to ensure only suitable staff were employed. Staffing levels were flexible and monitored to ensure people’s needs were met.

Accidents and incidents were regular investigated and reviewed to minimise repeat incidents. Lessons learnt were shared with staff in a timely manner. The service had safe procedures in place to minimise the risk of cross contamination.

People received their medicines as intended by the prescribing pharmacist. People were supported to access healthcare professional services, to monitor and maintain their health and well-being.

People received care and support from staff that underwent regular training and reflected on their working practices to deliver effective support. Robust induction procedures in place ensured only staff competent to work independently did so.

The service was aware of their responsibilities in relation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). People’s consent to care and treatment was sought prior to being delivered. Staff were aware of the importance of seeking consent prior to delivering care.

People were supported to purchase and access sufficient amounts of food and drink that met their dietary needs and requirements. People’s independence, privacy and diversity were encouraged and protected by staff that treated them equally.

People’s care plans were person centred, reviewed regularly with input from people and their relatives. People were encouraged to share their concerns and were confident these would be addressed in a timely manner.

People were supported to participate in a wide range of activities that met their social needs.

People and their relatives spoke positively about the management at L’Arche. Auditing systems in place supported the management’s oversight and monitoring of the service. People’s views were regularly sought to drive improvements and the registered manager sought partnership working from other healthcare professionals and implemented guidance given.