The location is part of the CHOICE group, who run care homes for people with learning disabilities and autism spectrum disorder. White House was a large, detached house located near the village of Datchet, just four miles east of Slough town centre. At the time of the inspection, the service offered support to eight adults with moderate to severe learning disabilities and associated complex needs. The registration allowed for nine adults to be accommodated.There were two single bedrooms on the ground floor and five single bedrooms on the first floor, with communal bathrooms. The building included a large lounge and dining area leading into the kitchen and laundry area. The patio doors led from the dining room into spacious gardens, where there was also a summer house. An annex building provided fully self-contained accommodation for two further adults.
At the time of the inspection, there was a registered manager. 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.
Since registration under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 on 8 December 2010, White House has maintained compliance with the relevant regulations at each inspection by us. The most recent inspection was a routine planned visit on 16 January 2014. This inspection checked four outcomes, all of which were found compliant. This inspection is the first visit under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 and the first rating under the Care Act 2014.
People were safeguard from abuse and neglect. There was a robust system in place to ensure that people’s safety was maintained.
Risks for people were assessed, mitigated, documented and reviewed. Appropriate records were kept and readily available to demonstrate this to us at the inspection.
The building and premises risks were assessed and managed to ensure people, staff and visitor safety at all times.
Enough staff were deployed to support people. Care workers we spoke with were satisfied that there was sufficient staff and that they did not place people at risk when they were busy. Our observations showed that the service was busy at times, but overall calm and relaxed and staff were dedicated to the people they supported.
Medicines were safely managed. We examined the handling of people’s medicines during our inspection and found that people were safe from harm. Storage of medicines was correct. The community pharmacist audited the safety of medicines management at White House and found only a small number of improvements were needed.
Staff were knowledgeable and competent. They received appropriate levels of training, supervision and performance appraisal. Relevant subjects were used to teach staff about caring for people with learning disabilities. This included the management of aggressive behaviour and dealing with people’s epilepsy.
The service followed the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). The recording of consent and best interest decision meant the service complied with the MCA Codes of Practice. There was clear information at the service regarding people’s applications, reviews and expiry dates for standard DoLS authorisations.
People received nutritious food which they enjoyed. Hydration was offered to people to ensure they did not become dehydrated. Snacks and treats were available if people wanted or chose to have them. People assisted with shopping and cooking and had the right to choose their own meals.
The found the service was caring. We observed staff were warm and friendly. As staff had worked with most people over an extended period of time, they had come to know each person well. Many of the people who used the service had lived there for long periods of time. This reflected in the care that people received from staff.
Personalisation of bedrooms was evident. External agencies we spoke with, such as commissioners, praised the service when we asked. We found people had the right to choose or refuse care or activities and this was respected by staff. People led the life they chose to and this was not changed by anyone at the service. We saw people’s privacy and dignity was respected at all times.
People were involved in the service in a number of ways and attended a wide variety of activities and events. This included the planning of social activities as well as normal functions of running the service.
Responsive care was provided to people. Their wishes, preferences, likes and dislikes were considered and accommodated. Staff knew about the complaints procedure and people had the ability to complain.
The workplace culture at White House was good. Staff described a positive place to work and care for people. Staff told us they enjoyed their roles and found management approachable and reasonable. Sufficient audits of the service were conducted to check the quality of the care.