Whiteheather

Whiteheather is a residential care home that provides accommodation and personal care for up to five people with a learning disability or who are autistic. At the time of this inspection there were five people using the service.

Right Support • Staff supported people to take part in activities and pursue their interests. Activities and relationships had been disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, staff were committed to supporting people to regain their confidence and interests. We made a recommendation around developing staff skills to enable them to support people to engage in activities in line with their individual needs. • The registered manager promoted an ethos where staff supported people to have the maximum possible choice, control and independence. We made a recommendation about developing staff skills in this area. • The service worked with people to plan for when they experienced periods of distress so that any restrictions on people's freedom were minimised. • Staff supported people to make decisions following best practice in decision-making. The registered manager was improving the way decision-making was recorded. • Staff supported people with their medicines in a way that promoted their independence and achieved the best possible health outcomes. The registered manager and staff worked well to ensure people who became distressed were not controlled by excessive and inappropriate use of medicines. • The service gave people care and support in a safe, clean, well equipped, well-furnished and well- maintained environment that met their sensory and physical needs. The service had effective infection, prevention and control measures to keep people safe • People were able to personalise their bedrooms. The registered manager and provider were reviewing options to provide increased choices of shared living areas.