Inspection on 03/02/06 for Ark House

This inspection was carried out on 3rd February 2006.

CSCI has not published a star rating for this report, though using similar criteria we estimate that the report is Good. The way we rate inspection reports is consistent for all houses, though please be aware that this may be different from an official CSCI judgement.

The inspector made no statutory requirements on the home as a result of this inspection and there were no outstanding actions from the previous inspection report.

Other inspections for this house

Ark House 25/11/08

Ark House 24/11/06

Ark House 17/08/05

Ark House 23/12/04

Ark House 15/07/04

Similar services:

Oakmount Hostel

Extracts from inspection reports are licensed from CQC, this page was updated on 08/07/2008.

CARE HOME ADULTS 18-65 Ark House 15 Valley Road Scarborough North Yorkshire YO11 2LY Lead Inspector Mr M. A. Tomlinson Unannounced Inspection 3rd February 2006 10:00 Ark House DS0000007627.V279678.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 1 The Commission for Social Care Inspection aims to: • • • • Put the people who use social care first Improve services and stamp out bad practice Be an expert voice on social care Practise what we preach in our own organisation Reader Information Document Purpose Author Audience Further copies from Copyright Inspection Report CSCI General Public 0870 240 7535 (telephone order line) This report is copyright Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) and may only be used in its entirety. Extracts may not be used or reproduced without the express permission of CSCI www.csci.org.uk Internet address Ark House DS0000007627.V279678.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 2 This is a report of an inspection to assess whether services are meeting the needs of people who use them. The legal basis for conducting inspections is the Care Standards Act 2000 and the relevant National Minimum Standards for this establishment are those for Care Homes for Adults 18-65. They can be found at www.dh.gov.uk or obtained from The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Crispins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop This report is a public document. Extracts may not be used or reproduced without the prior permission of the Commission for Social Care Inspection. Ark House DS0000007627.V279678.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 3 SERVICE INFORMATION Name of service Ark House Address 15 Valley Road Scarborough North Yorkshire YO11 2LY 01723 371869 01723 375678 arkhouse@virgin.net www.arkhouse2005.com Mr Bjorn Roswald Telephone number Fax number Email address Provider Web address Name of registered provider(s)/company (if applicable) Name of registered manager (if applicable) Type of registration No. of places registered (if applicable) Mr Gerard Scholfield Care Home 20 Category(ies) of Past or present alcohol dependence (20) registration, with number of places Ark House DS0000007627.V279678.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 4 SERVICE INFORMATION Conditions of registration: 1. Registered for Alcohol Dependence some of whom may also have Drug Dependence 17th August 2005 Date of last inspection Brief Description of the Service: Ark House provides accommodation and personal care for a maximum of twenty younger adults who are recovering from alcohol and/or drug dependence. The home does not provide nursing or medical services. The care home is a large detached property located in a residential area of Scarborough. It is conveniently situated for all main community facilities including the public transport network. The home has parking facilities for several vehicles. Time restricted on-road parking is also available. The property has three floors. The main communal rooms, group rooms and classroom are located on the ground floor. The service users bedrooms are located on the upper floors. The home does not have a passenger lift and consequently is only considered suitable for people who are fully ambulant. The service users undergo a programme of recovery known as recovery dynamics. This is based on the twelve step programme originally developed by Alcoholics Anonymous. Sobriety is achieved through adherence to the programme, which involves a combination of group and classroom work, assignments and professional and mutual support. On average a service user will take between ten and twelve weeks to complete the primary programme. During the latter stages of recovery the service user is provided with an opportunity to learn, or re-learn, life skills to enable them to live independently within the community. This is known as extended care. An after care service is available for ex. service users who have completed the programme. Ark House DS0000007627.V279678.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 5 SUMMARY This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. This was the second of two statutory inspections to be undertaken by the Commission for Social Care Inspection during this inspectoral year. The inspection was unannounced. It took a total of three and half hours including preparation time. The inspection primarily focussed on the requirements and recommendations made during the previous inspection and on those ‘key’ National Minimum Standards not addressed on that occasion. This report should, therefore, be read in conjunction with the report of the inspection undertaken on 17th August 2005. The registered provider and the registered manager were available throughout the inspection and discussions were held with them. Discussions were also held with the majority of the service users, including some who had completed the primary recovery programme and were on the ‘extended care’ programme, and the staff on duty. Some statutory records were examined including those concerned with the admission process and three staff records. Feedback was provided for the registered provider and the registered manager on the completion of the inspection. What the service does well: What has improved since the last inspection? The registered manager and registered provider continued to actively promote improvements to the service. These improvements included: • • The introduction of the ‘Spider Assessment Tool’ in order to measure the ‘key outcomes’ of the work undertaken by the staff of Ark House. Carpets replaced on the stairs and in the corridors. The loft has been insulated. En suite toilets and bathrooms are in the process of being refurbished. Ark House DS0000007627.V279678.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 6 • • The development of a ‘Clients’ Workbook’ to be used by the service users during the recovery programme. The development of an ‘in-house’ DVD so that prospective service users may get an understanding of the programme and ex. service users have the facility to refer to the programme having left Ark House. The home’s policies, procedures and record keeping systems have been reviewed and revised as necessary. The registered provider is in the process of registering Ark House as a training centre in order to provide information and training for health and social care professionals specifically on the recovery programme for alcohol and drug dependency and associated problems. The registered manager has developed a new website for Ark House. This has included an ‘aftercare’ support facility for ex. service users as well as providing information on the service provided by Ark House, its facilities and specific information on the ‘twelve-step’ approach to recovery. The web site also provides information on links with other agencies such as Alcohol Concern, The National Treatment Agency and the Commission for Social Care Inspection. • • • What they could do better: Please contact the provider for advice of actions taken in response to this inspection. The report of this inspection is available from enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk or by contacting your local CSCI office. Ark House DS0000007627.V279678.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 7 DETAILS OF INSPECTOR FINDINGS CONTENTS Choice of Home (Standards 1–5) Individual Needs and Choices (Standards 6-10) Lifestyle (Standards 11-17) Personal and Healthcare Support (Standards 18-21) Concerns, Complaints and Protection (Standards 22-23) Environment (Standards 24-30) Staffing (Standards 31-36) Conduct and Management of the Home (Standards 37 – 43) Scoring of Outcomes Statutory Requirements Identified During the Inspection Ark House DS0000007627.V279678.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 8 Choice of Home The intended outcomes for Standards 1 – 5 are: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Prospective service users have the information they need to make an informed choice about where to live. Prospective users’ individual aspirations and needs are assessed. Prospective service users know that the home that they will choose will meet their needs and aspirations. Prospective service users have an opportunity to visit and to “test drive” the home. Each service user has an individual written contract or statement of terms and conditions with the home. The Commission consider Standard 2 the key standard to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): None EVIDENCE: Whilst these standards were not assessed in full on this occasion, it was evident from discussions with the relevant member of staff responsible for admissions that the pre-admission assessment process continues to be robust to ensure that the prospective placement is appropriate. The service users confirmed that the assessment and admission process is undertaken in considerable detail and that all aspects of the recovery programme is explained to them. Where possible, the admission/assessment procedure is undertaken on a one-to-one basis with the prospective service user. Several of the service users stated that previous clients/service users had recommended Ark House to them. Ark House DS0000007627.V279678.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 9 Individual Needs and Choices The intended outcomes for Standards 6 – 10 are: 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Service users know their assessed and changing needs and personal goals are reflected in their individual Plan. Service users make decisions about their lives with assistance as needed. Service users are consulted on, and participate in, all aspects of life in the home. Service users are supported to take risks as part of an independent lifestyle. Service users know that information about them is handled appropriately, and that their confidences are kept. The Commission considers Standards 6, 7 and 9 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): None EVIDENCE: Since the previous inspection the assessment process has been modified with the introduction of the ‘Alcohol Outcomes Spider’. This is a newly developed outcomes tool introduced by Alcohol Concern so that alcohol agencies, such as Ark House, can measure the key outcomes of their work with the service users. In other words the agency is able by using this tool to verify whether they are achieving their stated aims. The use of this tool will be an integral part of the recovery programme and the associated care planning process. The use of this system will be monitored by the Commission of Social Care Inspection through future inspections. Ark House DS0000007627.V279678.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 10 Lifestyle The intended outcomes for Standards 11 - 17 are: 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. Service users have opportunities for personal development. Service users are able to take part in age, peer and culturally appropriate activities. Service users are part of the local community. Service users engage in appropriate leisure activities. Service users have appropriate personal, family and sexual relationships. Service users’ rights are respected and responsibilities recognised in their daily lives. Service users are offered a healthy diet and enjoy their meals and mealtimes. The Commission considers Standards 12, 13, 15, 16 and 17 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): None EVIDENCE: From discussions with the service users, who were at various stages of the programme of recovery, it was evident that they were very satisfied with the service provided at Ark House. Several service users were able to compare it with services provided by other rehabilitation units and they stated that in their opinions the service provided by Ark House was better than any of the others they had knowledge or experience of. They said that Ark House was holistic, practical and very supportive in its approach and that it assessed the ‘whole person’ and addressed a combination of problems not solely that related directly with alcohol addiction. The service users also felt that Ark House had got the balance right between informality and a rigid programme of recovery. They said that the empathy and support of the staff was an important aspect of the recovery programme as was the facility of ‘extended’ and ‘aftercare’ to enable them to become re-integrated within the community. The service users presented as being very positive in their approach to their recovery and none expressed any doubts that they would succeed. Ark House DS0000007627.V279678.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 11 The service users stated that they were satisfied with the quality of the meals provided. They said that a survey of the meals had recently been undertaken and that their comments and views had been taken into account. This was confirmed by the cook and by the revised menus. The meals were reasonably balanced, nutritional and fairly ‘traditional’. The service users said that straightforward meals were important so not to detract from the recovery programme and to give them some idea on how they might cater for themselves on completion of the programme of recovery. Ark House DS0000007627.V279678.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 12 Personal and Healthcare Support The intended outcomes for Standards 18 - 21 are: 18. 19. 20. 21. Service users receive personal support in the way they prefer and require. Service users’ physical and emotional health needs are met. Service users retain, administer and control their own medication where appropriate, and are protected by the home’s policies and procedures for dealing with medicines. The ageing, illness and death of a service user are handled with respect and as the individual would wish. The Commission considers Standards 18, 19, and 20 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): None EVIDENCE: As previously stated in this report, the service users expressed considerable satisfaction with regard to the service provided by the home and in particular the support and empathy provided by the staff. According to the service users another very important aspect is the peer group support they provided for each other. This was particularly important to those service users in the early stages of recovery. The service users said that they were treated as adults and afforded appropriate respect by the staff. Ark House DS0000007627.V279678.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 13 Concerns, Complaints and Protection The intended outcomes for Standards 22 – 23 are: 22. 23. Service users feel their views are listened to and acted on. Service users are protected from abuse, neglect and self-harm. The Commission considers Standards 22, and 23 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): None EVIDENCE: These standards were not assessed on this occasion. Ark House DS0000007627.V279678.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 14 Environment The intended outcomes for Standards 24 – 30 are: 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. Service users live in a homely, comfortable and safe environment. Service users’ bedrooms suit their needs and lifestyles. Service users’ bedrooms promote their independence. Service users’ toilets and bathrooms provide sufficient privacy and meet their individual needs. Shared spaces complement and supplement service users’ individual rooms. Service users have the specialist equipment they require to maximise their independence. The home is clean and hygienic. The Commission considers Standards 24, and 30 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): None EVIDENCE: Whilst a full inspection of the premises was not undertaken, it was evident that the lounge and dining areas in particular continued to be maintained and furnished to an acceptable standard. The majority of the service users smoke cigarettes and consequently had access to designated smoking areas in the main lounge and in a covered area at the rear of the property. The service users expressed satisfaction with the environment and their living accommodation. They acknowledged that it was furnished to a relatively basic standard but felt that this was appropriate given the aims of the home. It was noted that a programme of refurbishment and redecoration continued with new carpets having been fitted in the corridors and stairway. Ark House DS0000007627.V279678.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 15 Staffing The intended outcomes for Standards 31 – 36 are: 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. Service users benefit from clarity of staff roles and responsibilities. Service users are supported by competent and qualified staff. Service users are supported by an effective staff team. Service users are supported and protected by the home’s recruitment policy and practices. Service users’ individual and joint needs are met by appropriately trained staff. Service users benefit from well supported and supervised staff. The Commission considers Standards 32, 34 and 35 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 34 EVIDENCE: From discussions with, and observation of, the staff it was evident from their enthusiasm that morale was high. They presented as having pride in their achievements and said that they took considerable satisfaction in the service users achieving their aim of sobriety. It was evident that the staff had considerable knowledge of the service users’ needs both in general and on an individual basis. It was also evident that a close but professional relationship existed between the staff and the service users and that the staff were readily accessible to the service users to advise and assist with any problems. The registered manager provided evidence that in addition to training in mandatory subjects, over 50 of the staff had now achieved a National Vocational Qualification at level 2 or above. Three staff records were examined. These provided confirmation that all staff, regardless of role, are appropriately vetted before being formally employed. The majority of the staff were ex. service users of Ark House. Ark House DS0000007627.V279678.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 16 Conduct and Management of the Home The intended outcomes for Standards 37 – 43 are: 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. Service users benefit from a well run home. Service users benefit from the ethos, leadership and management approach of the home. Service users are confident their views underpin all self-monitoring, review and development by the home. Service users’ rights and best interests are safeguarded by the home’s policies and procedures. Service users’ rights and best interests are safeguarded by the home’s record keeping policies and procedures. The health, safety and welfare of service users are promoted and protected. Service users benefit from competent and accountable management of the service. The Commission considers Standards 37, 39, and 42 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 37 and 38 EVIDENCE: The registered provider and the registered manager provided evidence that they were approximately half way through the course to achieve the Registered Manager’s Award. Since his registration, the manager has demonstrated that he has sound managerial skills. He provided evidence that he had regularly reviewed the policies, procedures and records in the home and had revised them to bring them up to date and make them more meaningful. He employed a democratic style of management and actively encouraged the staff to participate in the running of the home and the decision making processes. He had delegated specific tasks to the staff thereby making maximum use of their skills. The registered manager continued to be proactive in his approach and provided evidence that he had constantly looked at ways of improving the service. Ark House DS0000007627.V279678.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 17 SCORING OF OUTCOMES This page summarises the assessment of the extent to which the National Minimum Standards for Care Homes for Adults 18-65 have been met and uses the following scale. The scale ranges from: 4 Standard Exceeded 2 Standard Almost Met (Commendable) (Minor Shortfalls) 3 Standard Met 1 Standard Not Met (No Shortfalls) (Major Shortfalls) “X” in the standard met box denotes standard not assessed on this occasion “N/A” in the standard met box denotes standard not applicable CHOICE OF HOME Standard No Score 1 X 2 X 3 X 4 X 5 X INDIVIDUAL NEEDS AND CHOICES Standard No 6 7 8 9 10 Score CONCERNS AND COMPLAINTS Standard No Score 22 X 23 X ENVIRONMENT Standard No Score 24 X 25 X 26 X 27 X 28 X 29 X 30 X STAFFING Standard No Score 31 X 32 X 33 X 34 3 35 X 36 X CONDUCT AND MANAGEMENT OF THE HOME Standard No 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 Score X X X X X LIFESTYLES Standard No Score 11 X 12 X 13 X 14 X 15 X 16 X 17 X PERSONAL AND HEALTHCARE SUPPORT Standard No 18 19 20 21 Score X X X X 2 3 3 X X X X Ark House DS0000007627.V279678.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 18 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? No STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS This section sets out the actions, which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Care Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The Registered Provider(s) must comply with the given timescales. No. Standard Regulation Requirement Timescale for action RECOMMENDATIONS These recommendations relate to National Minimum Standards and are seen as good practice for the Registered Provider/s to consider carrying out. No. 1 Refer to Standard YA37 Good Practice Recommendations Confirmation should be provided for the Commission of Social Care Inspection of the manager’s successful completion of the Registered Manager’s Award. Ark House DS0000007627.V279678.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 19 Commission for Social Care Inspection York Area Office Unit 4 Triune Court Monks Cross York YO32 9GZ National Enquiry Line: 0845 015 0120 Email: enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk Web: www.csci.org.uk © This report is copyright Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) and may only be used in its entirety. Extracts may not be used or reproduced without the express permission of CSCI Ark House DS0000007627.V279678.R01.S.doc Version 5.1 Page 20 - Please note that this information is included on www.bestcarehome.co.uk under license from the regulator. Re-publishing this information is in breach of the terms of use of that website. Discrete codes and changes have been inserted throughout the textual data shown on the site that will provide incontrovertable proof of copying in the event this information is re-published on other websites. 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