6 June 2019
During a routine inspection
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