Archived: Whitehatch

Updated 5 October 2019

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 Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by one inspector over two days.

Service and service type

Whitehatch is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced. We visited the service on 6 June and 10 June 2019.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed the information we held about the service. This included the previous inspection report, notifications since the last inspection and feedback from the local authority. Notifications are changes, events and incidents that the service must inform us about. The provider had not been asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we usually require care providers to send us with key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service. We used the information we had to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We completed a check of premises and spent time observing how staff cared for and supported people. We spoke with three people and observed the support provided to those people who were unable to talk with us. We spoke with three of the support staff, the registered manager and the deputy manager. We reviewed two people's care records, looking at risk assessments, communication and evidence of personalised care. We examined the medicines administration practice and records. We looked at two staff recruitment files and other records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures, were also reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider and received further evidence. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We received written feedback from three professionals who regularly visit the service and from two relatives.

Updated 5 October 2019

About the service

Whitehatch is an adapted residential care home providing personal care and support for up to 11 people with complex physical and learning disabilities. At the time of inspection there were nine people living at the home.

The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance for people with learning difficulties and autism in a consistent way. Each person lived as full a life as possible and achieved the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.

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

People living at Whitehatch were exceptionally safe. People were supported in innovative ways to learn about the risk of abuse. They were encouraged to speak up for themselves and others about anything that concerned them. People were empowered to take control of situations, and be actively involved in managing their own risks, tackle safety issues and to live as full a life as possible. Where individual risks were identified, actions were taken unobtrusively to enable people to be and feel safe but not held back. There was a good team of skilled staff to safely meet all of people’s needs.

People enjoyed a very good quality of life. Feedback we received from people’s relatives was very positive, confirming how safe, happy and contented people were. A healthcare professional also said, “Whitehatch is a happy home to live and work in.” Everyone received personalised, planned, and co-ordinated support that was appropriate and inclusive.

People received high quality care and support that was carefully tailored to each individual. Visiting professionals and families praised the excellent results of the person centred care provided. The service developed community contacts and experiences for people to address issues and inequalities that might prevent them taking part. People were supported to develop new skills and staff were exploring opportunities for volunteer work for some people.

People’s communication needs were known and addressed by staff who were creative and persistent in bringing out the best in each person. Staff had developed their skills to enable each person to increase their communication and their choices.

The staff and managers had gone ‘over and above’ in the way they had supported two people who had died in the last year. There had been a personal and responsive approach to helping those who were bereaved to feel comforted.

People’s health and wellbeing was given priority. Staff were pro-active in ensuring specialist health advice was sought for people when needed. People ate well and were actively involved in choosing their meals and with food preparation where possible. People’s dietary needs were well understood and managed by staff. The home was well adapted to meet people’s needs and to promote and allow people to have their independence and freedom.

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.

Staff were consistently caring and kind. One relative said, “Staff have varied over time, but the warm atmosphere has been present throughout.” Staff were observed interacting positively with people, having fun and speaking with respect at all times. Families were kept informed about people’s lives and involved in decision making. People were enabled to express their wishes and feelings.

The service was very well led by an enthusiastic and experienced registered manager and deputy manager. Together, they provided consistent leadership that was strong, organised and able to deliver elements of outstanding practice within the service. There was an inclusive and person-centred approach where people and staff felt involved and valued. There were plans to continually improve the service and create even more opportunities for the people they supported.

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was Good (published 5 December 2016)

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

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