Archived: Whitehall House

Whitehall House is registered to provide personal care and accommodation for two people with learning disabilities, who may be on the autistic spectrum r or have mental ill health. The service is located in Grays, Essex. Each person has a single room and there is a communal bathroom, kitchen, dining room and lounge. There is a rearenclosed garden at the back of the house with level access. At the time of our inspection, there were two people using the service.

The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the ‘Registering the Right Support’ and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

The service was safe. The service’s recruitment process ensured that appropriate checks were carried out before staff commenced employment. There were sufficient staff on duty to meet the needs of people and keep them safe from potential harm or abuse. People’s health and wellbeing needs were assessed and reviewed to minimise risk to their health. People’s medicine was managed well and records of administration were kept up to date.

The service was effective. People were cared for and supported by staff who had received training to support people and to meet their needs. The registered manager had a good understanding of their responsibilities in relation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. People were supported to eat and drink enough to ensure they maintained a balanced diet and referrals to health and social care services were made when required.

The service was caring. Staff cared for people in a empathetic and kind manner. Staff had a good understanding of people’s preferences of care. Staff always worked hard to promote people’s independence through encouraging and supporting people to make informed decisions.

The service was responsive. Records we viewed showed people and their relatives were involved in the planning and review of their care. Care plans were reviewed on a regular basis and also when there was a change in care needs. People were supported to follow their interests and participate in social activities. The service responded to complaints in a timely manner.

The service was well-led. Staff and people spoke very highly of the registered manager and the provider who were very supportive and worked hard to provide an exceptional service. The service had systems in place to monitor and provide good care and these were reviewed on a regular basis.

Whitehall House is registered to provide accommodation and care for up to two adults with mental health issues. There were two people living at the service when we inspected it.

A registered manager was in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

The service provided good care and support to people to enable them to acquire the skills, within a safe environment, to live more independently.

People told us the service was a safe place to live and that there were sufficient staff available to meet their needs. The provider had robust recruitment procedures in place which ensured staff were recruited safely. Staff received appropriate training which ensured staff had the right skills to meet people’s needs.

There were safe systems in place for receiving, administering and disposing of medicines. People received their medication as prescribed.

Staff understood the risks and signs of potential abuse and the relevant safeguarding processes to follow. Risks to people’s health and wellbeing were appropriately assessed, managed and reviewed.

Care plans accurately reflected people’s care and support needs and people received appropriate support to have their social care needs met.

People told us that if they had any concerns or complaints they would discuss these with staff and felt they would be listened to and acted upon.

There was an effective system in place to regularly assess and monitor the quality of the service provided. The registered manager was able to demonstrate how they measured and analysed the care and support provided to people, and how this ensured that the service was operating safely and was continually improving to meet people’s needs.

Care plans, risk assessments and guidance were person centred and outlined a proactive approach to recovery and maintaining independence. There was evidence that people had been involved in discussions around their support needs and that their views, goals and expectations of staff were taken into account.

People were supported to be able to eat and drink sufficient amounts to meet their needs. The people who lived at the service shopped for food and cooked independently with staff available to give support if requested. Staff demonstrated an awareness of the need to balance encouraging people to eat healthily with making their own choices about what to eat.

People told us they felt safe and that relationships with staff were positive. We saw that people approached staff with confidence. The provider had a robust safeguarding policy and staff were clear about the procedure for reporting concerns to the local authority.

The provider took account of people's views when monitoring the quality of the service. Where comments were made the manager recorded what action had been taken to address the issues raised.

We saw that the manager had effective systems in place to promote good quality care and that this was reflected in the records we looked at and the discussions we had with staff.

We found that staff interactions with people who live at the service were positive and staff were seen to have a good rapport with individuals. Staff on duty at the time of our visit were observed to have a good understanding and awareness of people's support needs. Staff confirmed to us that they liked working at the service and that team work was good.

People told us that they felt confident to raise issues, that they would be listened to and their concerns acted on.

We found that people were cared for by staff who were supported to deliver care and treatment safely and to an appropriate standard. The provider had suitable arrangements in place to ensure that newly appointed staff received a comprehensive induction, received appropriate training and development and benefitted from regular supervision.