Whitehatch

This report summarizes the findings of an inspection of Whitehatch, a care home providing accommodation and personal care for up to 11 individuals with complex physical and learning disabilities. The inspection assessed the service against the Care Quality Commission's five key questions: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive, and Well-led. The report highlights areas where improvements are needed to ensure people receive consistently high-quality care and support.

Regarding safety, the home was found to have issues with environmental maintenance and hygiene, with some equipment in disrepair. Staff were not fully equipped to handle emergency situations like fires, lacking specific training and missing crucial documentation. While safeguarding and medication management were generally robust, there were concerns about inconsistent staffing levels and the impact this had on staff's ability to engage with residents.

In terms of effectiveness, care and support plans were detailed, but the process of involving residents and their families in reviews was not consistently followed. Mental capacity assessments were not always decision-specific, and there was a need to ensure staff training was up-to-date in key areas. However, residents had access to external healthcare professionals, and specialised diets were catered for.

On the aspect of caring, while staff were observed to be kind, there were missed opportunities for meaningful engagement, leading to inconsistent experiences for residents. Preferences outlined in care plans were not always followed, and residents were not consistently involved in their own care reviews. Nevertheless, residents appeared well cared for, with relatives noting their positive presentation.

For responsiveness, the model of care did not always maximise residents' choice, control, and independence. Staff consistency in offering opportunities for engagement was also noted as an area for development. While the service aimed to provide person-centred care, the implementation was not always consistent, and more effort was needed to actively involve residents in daily decisions and care plan reviews.

Finally, concerning the well-led aspect of the service, while the registered manager had a good relationship with staff and plans for improvement, these had not always been fully embedded. Pressures from staffing and recruitment challenges, exacerbated by COVID-19, impacted the service's ability to consistently deliver on its goals. The service needs to strengthen its governance and quality audit systems.