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

Whitehouse Residential Home is a large detached property which has been adapted to accommodate 17 people, some of whom are living with a dementia. At the time of the inspection there were 12 people who used the service

At our last inspection in March 2016 we rated the service as good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and on-going monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

At this inspection we found the service remained good.

Staff understood the procedure they needed to follow if they suspected abuse might be taking place. Risks to people were identified and plans were put in place to help manage the risk and minimise them occurring. Medicines were managed safely with an effective system in place. Staff competencies around administering medicines were regularly checked. Checks on medicines were undertaken, however there wasn’t a formal auditing tool. The provider sent us a completed medicine audit after our inspection.

Appropriate checks of the building and maintenance systems were undertaken to ensure health and safety was maintained. However, we did note that some windows that were not secured as safely as they should be. This was pointed out to the provider who took immediate action to address this.

People told us there were enough staff on duty to meet their needs. We found that safe recruitment and selection procedures were in place and appropriate checks had been undertaken before staff began work.

The home was clean and tidy. Communal areas were well maintained. Appropriate personal protective equipment and hand washing facilities were available. Staff had completed infection control training.

People were supported by a regular team of staff who were knowledgeable about people’s likes, dislikes and preferences. A training plan was in place.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. However, mental capacity assessments and best interest decisions had not been recorded. The provider told us they would take immediate action to address this.

People told us they enjoyed the food provided. Staff supported people to maintain their health and attend routine health care appointments.

People who used the service told us that staff were kind and caring. Care plans detailed people’s needs and preferences. Care plans were reviewed on a regular basis to ensure they contained up to date information. People had access to a range of activities. The service had a clear process for handling complaints.

Staff told us they enjoyed working at the service and felt supported by the provider. Quality assurance processes were in place and regularly carried out to monitor and improve the quality of the service. Although checks on health and safety and infection control were undertaken the provider did not use a formal auditing tool. After our inspection the provider sent us a completed infection control and health and safety audit. Feedback was sought from people who used the service through meetings and surveys.

This inspection took place on 4 March 2016 and was unannounced. This meant the staff and provider did not know we would be visiting.

Whitehouse Residential Home provides care and accommodation for up to 16 older people with care needs. On the day of our inspection there were 15 people using the service.

The home had a registered manager in place. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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.

Whitehouse Residential Home had not previously been inspected by CQC.

Accidents and incidents were appropriately recorded and investigated. Risk assessments were in place for people who used the service and staff and described potential risks and the safeguards in place. Staff had been trained in how to safeguard vulnerable adults.

Medicines were stored safely and securely, and procedures were in place to ensure people received medicines as prescribed.

The home was clean, spacious and suitable for the people who used the service. Appropriate health and safety checks had been carried out.

There were sufficient numbers of staff on duty in order to meet the needs of people who used the service. The registered provider had an effective recruitment and selection procedure in place and carried out relevant checks when they employed staff. Staff were suitably trained and received regular supervisions and appraisals.

The registered provider was working within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act and was following the requirements in the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.

People were protected from the risk of poor nutrition and staff were aware of people’s nutritional needs. Care records contained evidence of visits to and from external health care specialists.

People who used the service were complimentary about the standard of care at Whitehouse Residential Home. Staff treated people with dignity and respect and helped to maintain people’s independence by encouraging them to care for themselves where possible.

Care records showed that people’s needs were assessed before they moved into Whitehouse Residential Home and care plans were written in a person centred way.

Activities were arranged for people who used the service based on their likes and interests and to help meet their social needs.

People who used the service, family members and visitors were made aware of how to make a complaint and there was an effective complaints policy and procedure in place.

The service regularly used community services and facilities and had links with the local community. Staff felt supported by the manager and were comfortable raising any concerns. People who used the service, family members and staff were regularly consulted about the quality of the service.