White Cliffs Lodge

This report details the findings of an inspection at White Cliffs Lodge, a care home for up to 15 individuals, focusing on mental health support, learning disabilities, and autism. The inspection assessed the home across five key areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive, and Well-led. While the report acknowledges some positive interactions and proactive steps taken by the provider, it highlights significant areas requiring improvement across multiple domains, impacting the overall experience and safety of residents.

Regarding how safe the service is, inspectors found that people were not consistently kept safe from harm. This included issues with risk management, particularly for individuals at risk of choking, and a failure to consistently follow safeguarding guidance. Not all staff had up-to-date safeguarding training, and incidents were not always recorded or reported correctly. While infection control measures were generally assured, there were significant concerns about the overall safety systems.

In terms of how effective the care is, residents' support plans did not always accurately reflect their current needs or updated medical advice. Staff sometimes lacked the specific skills required, leading to incidents that could have been prevented, and practical training in areas like de-escalation was not always available. While residents were supported to access healthcare professionals, the follow-through on advice, such as physiotherapy, was inconsistent.

When considering how caring the service is, inspectors observed kind and compassionate interactions between staff and residents. The service had also recently introduced advocates to support residents. However, staff did not always protect residents' privacy and dignity, with some rooms lacking adequate window coverings. While there were efforts to improve the culture of learning, lessons from incidents were not always effectively shared with staff.

On how responsive the service is, inspectors noted that staff did not always support residents to achieve their aspirations or take part in activities outside the home due to limitations in driver availability. Residents were not always supported with maximum choice and control, and decision-making processes, like best interest meetings, were not always consistently carried out. Following the inspection, the provider took steps to address some of these issues with families.

Finally, concerning how well-led the service is, there were significant concerns about the overall management and governance. A registered manager was not in post at the time of the inspection, and there was a lack of robust systems for analysing incidents and ensuring staff learning. Breaches in regulations related to safety, risk management, person-centred care, and staff competency were identified. The provider was aware of some issues and had begun implementing a development plan.