Updated 8 April 2025
Whitwood House is a care home providing personal care for up to 16 people with learning disabilities and/or autism. At the time of our assessment there were 11 people living at the service. We assessed the service against ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ guidance to make judgements about whether the provider guaranteed people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted.
The assessment was triggered in response to risk. It commenced on 28 April 2025 and was completed on 14 May 2025. This included 2 visits to the service on 28 April 2025 and 6 May 2025. The provider was previously in breach of regulations relating to staffing and good governance. The provider had made improvements in relation to staffing and was no longer in breach of this regulation. However, we identified 1 continued breach of regulation in relation to good governance. There was a lack of oversight at the service. Quality assurance systems and processes were not always in place or effectively implemented to ensure safety and quality improvement. Records were not always fully complete, up to date and accurate, and improvements were needed regarding medicines management. Risks relating to the environment were not always effectively managed. However, there were enough suitably skilled staff to support people safely. The provider adhered to the principles of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and people were supported with their consent and in their best interests. The service was clean, and the environment personalised.
In instances where CQC have decided to take civil or criminal enforcement action against a provider, we will publish this information on our website after any representations and/or appeals have been concluded.