L'Arche Bognor Regis Bethany

On this page

• Overview
• Person-centred Care
• Care provision, Integration and continuity
• Providing Information
• Listening to and involving people
• Equity in access
• Equity in experiences and outcomes
• Planning for the future

People were now enabled to influence the way their support was provided and to achieve personal goals and outcomes. Information was provided in a way that met people’s communication needs. People had opportunities to feedback on their care and influence change. People’s protected characteristics and diversity needs were considered in line with the Equality Act 2010. The Act ensures everyone is lawfully protected from discrimination.

This service scored 75 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

People told us they received care based on their preferences and were treated with respect. People provided examples of how they were supported to promote their independence, strengths, and interests. A person told us they had paid employment, another person told us they edited the L’Arche Bognor community newsletter. A person showed us how their art work was being used by L’Arche to promote the new organisational values.

Staff told us improvements meant people were now placed at the heart of the service. Staff said improved practices and good leadership meant they had a better understanding of person centred care. They felt confident to challenge old and institutionalised practices and always took people’s views, wishes and opinions into account when planning and providing support.

We observed person centred practices throughout the assessment. Staff knew people well. We observed staff talking to people in a polite and respectful manner and we heard appropriate and light-hearted banter. Staff understood the level and type of support people required and delivered this in line with people preferences and their consent.

People told us they were busy. They participated in a range of regular activities including sports, arts, and leisure pursuits. People attended regular church services and were supported to keep in contact with friends and families. A person told us they enjoyed regular visits to a farm and meeting up with old friends. Families told encouraging more activities and new interests had a positive impact on their loved one’s lives.

Staff told us improvements had been made which supported them to seek more individual opportunities for people. This included activities outside of the L’Arche community. This had encouraged new friendships and supported people’s strengths. Staff told us people’s lives had been enriched through new experiences. A staff said, “Things have changed for the better for everyone”.

Visiting professionals told us improvements had been made and people were able to undertake activities away from their home.

Processes were in place to support community connections and opportunities. The rota was designed around people’s activities and commitments. There was less emphasis on group activities and the service now had a car rather than a mini bus. Volunteers were used alongside staff to support community activities.

People’s care plans reflected their communication needs. Some people’s care plans were not available to them in a format that supported their communication needs. Staff spoke with people at a pace and level they were comfortable with. People used pictorial prompts, sign language and technology to aid their communication. Families said communication had improved and they now received information and updates.

Staff did not feel information was consistently provided in an accessible and meaningful way. This was an area they planned to improve. Staff were knowledgeable about people’s individual communication needs and used a variety of communication methods and aids to communicate effectively with people.

The provider complied with the Accessible Information Standard (AIS). AIS requires organisations to support people in relation to their communication needs. People had communication assessments as part of their care planning pathway. Some of the providers policies such as the complaints procedure were supported by pictorial symbols.

People had opportunities to share their experiences of care and support. People knew how to raise concerns and complaints. People participated in meetings about their care, and about the running of their home and L’Arche community. People felt valued by the wider organisation and proud to be included in L’Arche national and worldwide programmes and initiatives.

Staff listened to people and included them in discussions. Staff told us they sought people’s opinions and ideas through general conversations, house meetings and keyworker discussions. They used feedback from people to improve their care experiences.

Processes were in place to seek people views and opinions of the service and their care. Learning from feedback was used to improve service delivery. There was a complaints procedure which was available in an accessible format. Quality assurances processes and audits showed that concerns and complaints were addressed in line with the providers policy.

People told us they were able to access care and treatment when they needed it. Care and treatment plan’s reflected advice from medical professionals. Care records showed appropriate referrals had been made to specialist services and people attended routine medical check-ups and annual health reviews.

Staff told us they made referrals and appointments for people when they needed it. Staff supported people to appointments and consultations and ensured information was shared with the person in a way they understood.

We did not receive information from partner organisations about people’s experiences of accessing care, treatment, and support.

Processes in place ensured people had access to care and treatment. Referrals were made in a timely way and important information about people shared appropriately. The rota was planned to ensure staff were available to support people to appointments. Risk management plans took into consideration people’s transport and accessibility needs. People’s care records reflected consultations and meetings with professionals regarding their health and wellbeing.

People’s needs were met by a holistic approach to assessing, planning, and delivering care and support. People’s protected characteristics under the Equality Act were identified and recorded. Care and support plans reflected people’s abilities and what they were able to do for themselves.

Staff respected people’s individuality and supported each person in a non-discriminatory way. Staff had received training in equality and diversity and knew how to support people in a way that took account of their abilities and lifestyle choices.

Improvements had been made. New practices had been adopted in accordance with right support, right care, right culture. Staff had received approved training to support people with a learning disability and autistic people. People’s opinions, and wishes were sought and acted on to deliver person centred care tailored to their needs and aspirations.

People had not been supported to plan ahead for any important life changes. Some relatives did not feel these conversations would be helpful to their loved one at this point in time. People’s cultural and spiritual beliefs were captured in their care plans.

The registered manager told us when the need arose, they would work with the person and their support network to ensure appropriate support was provided in a dignified and respectful way.

The service was not currently supporting anyone nearing the end of life. Processes were available to support a person-centred approach to end of life care and wishes. End of life care plans were available to people in an accessible format.