Whitwell Park

Updated 4 December 2019

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by one inspector and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Whitwell Park is a ‘care home.’ People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who worked with the service. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections.

During the inspection

We spoke with eight people who used the service and three relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with eight members of staff including the deputy manager, registered manager, two nurses, three support workers and the kitchen manager. We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and their medicine records. We looked at four staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We contacted three relatives of people to gain their views about the service.

Updated 4 December 2019

Whitwell Park specialises in providing nursing and personal care for up to 34 people who have a learning disability or autism or other associated and complex needs across six separate units, each of which has separate adapted facilities. Each unit has its own dedicated staff. Nursing staff work across the two floors to support people with their nursing needs. There were 33 people living in the service on the day of our inspection.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes.

The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them. The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion.

People were protected from the risk of abuse, and staff were knowledgeable about how to recognise and report concerns of abuse. There were systems in place to protect people from the risk of harm and abuse, and people, relatives and staff felt confident to raise concerns about unsafe care. People were supported to be as independent as possible whilst remaining safe. Key information about people's care needs was available to staff in the event of an emergency.

People were supported to have a varied and balanced diet. Attention was given to making food look appetising and attractive for people who were not able to eat a normal diet.

People were supported by staff who routinely promoted privacy and dignity. Comments from relatives and people were extremely positive.

People had access to a range of health and social care professionals for advice, treatment and support. Staff monitored people's health and well-being effectively and responded quickly to any concerns.

Staff were recruited in a safe way. The provider took steps to ensure checks were undertaken to ensure potential staff were suitable to work with people needing care. Staff received regular supervision and had checks on their knowledge and skills. They also received an induction and training in a range of skills the provider felt necessary to meet the needs of people at the service.

Staff had a good understanding of people, their likes and dislikes. There was sufficient staff to ensure people could access activities of their choice.

Medicines were managed, stored, administered and disposed of safely.

Staff received training and ongoing skills assessments that enabled them to be confident in supporting people with medicines.

There was an open culture focussed on continual learning and improvement. The service continued to be well led and benefitted from clear and consistent leadership. The registered manager was praised by people, their relatives and staff, for their positive and supportive approach and their prompt resolution of issues.

Systems were in place to monitor the quality of care provided and continuously improve the service. The management team and staff engaged well with other services and had developed positive relationships.

The service was well maintained and was clean and tidy.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection:

The last rating for this service was good (published 15 June 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the 'all reports' link for Whitwell Park on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our reinspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.