Whitwood House

Updated 21 October 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 carried out to follow up on enforcement issued following a breach of regulation at the last assessment. It commenced on 12 November 2025 and was completed on 19 November 2025. Site visits took place on each of these dates and an out of hours visit was included on the 12 November 2025. The provider was previously in breach of regulation relating to good governance. The provider had made improvements and was no longer in breach of this regulation. Oversight of the service had improved, and quality assurance processes were effectively implemented to support learning, monitoring and drive improvements. All concerns identified at the previous inspection in relation to security of the premises; record keeping and medicines; management of accidents, incidents and safeguarding; and weight monitoring, had been addressed. There was a skilled, knowledgeable and supportive manager in place providing consistent and reliable oversight. The whole team were committed to learning lessons, developing the service and driving improvement to positively enhance the quality of care for people living at Whitwood House.

Updated 21 October 2025

People were supported safely by kind, caring, skilled and respectful staff. People were relaxed and at home within the environment and with staff. The manager and staff knew people very well and had developed positive and trusting relationships with them. Each person’s needs and wishes were at the centre of care delivery, and the happiness of people was at the forefront of staff approach. People were engaged in meaningful ways and their daily lives revolved around what was important to them. They were provided with the same opportunities as people who do not use services. People were protected from the risk of abuse.

People’s overall experience of care at the service was positive. Where mistakes had been made, the provider and manager took immediate action and were open and honest with people, their relatives and partner agencies. Feedback was welcomed and the provider had systems in place to ensure people were heard and actively involved in their own care and development of the service.