Ariya House

Updated 19 May 2023

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by one inspector and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Ariya House is a ‘care home.’ People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Ariya House is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced on the first day.

Inspection activity started on 18 January 2023 and ended on 1 February 2023. We visited the service on 18 January 2023.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and 5 professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 3 people who used the service and 5 relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with 8 members of staff including the registered manager, deputy manager quality manager, and support workers. We contacted a further 5 staff for comments about the service. We spoke with the nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider. We spoke with 4 professionals who were actively supporting the service.

We reviewed a range of records. This included 2 care records and multiple medication records. We looked at 4 staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

Updated 19 May 2023

About the service

Ariya House is a residential care home providing personal care. The service provides support to people living with acquired brain injury (ABI) and can support up to 13 people. At the time of our inspection there were 13 people using the service.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

Service design was focused on people who used the service and their comfort and safety was of paramount importance. The atmosphere throughout the service was vibrant and inclusive and people were at the centre of their support.

The management team consisted of excellent leaders who, along with a strong staff team, had the skills to deliver exceptional support to people in order for them to achieve their goals.

The atmosphere throughout Ariya House was exceptionally positive, welcoming and homely. Feedback from people who used the service, their relatives, staff and professionals was consistently extremely positive and that the management at the home exceeded people's expectations. People, relatives and professionals were also full of praise for the entire staff team.

Risks associated with people’s care and support had been identified and were carefully managed in a way which actively promoted people’s independence, enhanced daily living skills and maximised people’s choice and freedom. Systems in place to manage medicines were designed in a way that focused on promoting independence to support people to self-medicate when this was safe to do so. The service was extremely clean, well-presented and maintained and had excellent infection prevention and control procedures which everyone adhered to.

People had support from highly skilled and trained staff that were safely recruited. Staff fully understood their role and responsibilities to protect people from abuse. Staff and the senior management team advocated for people to promote their safety and human rights.

The provider and registered manager were extremely proactive in improving people’s health and wellbeing, exploring innovative ways and were constantly considering new and improved initiatives to support people. People were supported to maintain good health and told us they had access to healthcare any time they wished. People's nutritional and hydration needs were being individually met with bespoke menus for people.

Staff spoke highly of the training opportunities they were given and were motivated and supported to progress within the company. There was an ‘aspiring senior’ course to skill people up to become effective leaders. The provider was dedicated in nurturing and mentoring staff and recognised staff as potential future senior managers in the sector.

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; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

There was a very strong emphasis on the provision of activities and social stimulation which were meaningful and therapeutic to the people living in the home. People told us they were happy with how they spent their time. Staff were keen to ensure people’s outcomes were met and were focused on promoting people’s wellbeing.

The management team and staff were very committed to providing person centred care which ensured people received the best possible outcomes they could achieve. Staff were proud of the ethos where everyone who walked through the door was valued from staff to people, visitors and professionals. They felt this is how the service succeeded. Managers were clear about their roles and were passionate about the support and leadership of the service which was centred around and involved people who used the service.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 30 September 2020 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.