Whitehaven

People lived in a large residential building in a quiet street in Bognor Regis, near local shops and transport links. There was an accessible garden and people had their own rooms.

The service was a large home, bigger than most domestic style properties. It was registered for the support of up to 11 people. Eleven people were using the service. This is larger than current best practice guidance. However, the size of the service having a negative impact on people was mitigated by the building design fitting into the residential area and the other large domestic homes of a similar size. There were deliberately no identifying signs, intercom, cameras, industrial bins or anything else outside to indicate it was a care home. Staff were also discouraged from wearing anything that suggested they were care staff when coming and going with people. Of the 11 bedrooms, there were two independent flats that people lived in attached to the home, along with nine bedrooms, which reduced the feel of a large institutional building.

The service had not 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. However, people using the service received planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that was appropriate and inclusive for them and the building had been adapted to reduce the impact of a larger building.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Staff were well trained, supervised and supported in their role. People told us that they liked the food and had enough to eat and drink. People's health needs were well supported, and the building was suitable to meet people's needs.

Staff treated people with kindness and compassion, and people told us they liked the staff. People were

supported to have a voice and make decision about their own care. Staff ensured people were as independent as they could be and respected people's privacy.

Whitehaven provided a person-centred service and people enjoyed a range of activities. People were supported with their communication needs by staff that knew them well. People knew how to complain, and staff were trained to support people at the end of their lives.

The registered manager was a visible presence who provided leadership to the service. Staff spoke highly of the manager One staff said, "The manager is the best here so far, she likes to get involved and talk and makes people laugh. You can always go to her and if its work or personal problem she finds time."

Quality audits had been effective in identifying shortfalls and putting them right through action plans. People and staff were involved in the running of the service and people's information was being shared safely.