Whitworth Lodge

“Date of Inspection: 20 May 2026 to 3 June 2026. Whitworth Lodge is a residential care home registered to support up to 6 people with learning disabilities and/or autism. At the time of our inspection 6 people were living at the service. We assessed the service against ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ guidance to make judgements about whether the provider guaranteed autistic people and people with a learning disability respect, equality, dignity, choices, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. The inspection was undertaken to follow up significant emerging risk arising at Whitworth lodge from information in whistleblowing reports and safeguarding concerns received by CQC and the local authority. Concerns related to 5 staff who were suspended and the risk of organisational abuse. At this inspection we found the quality of care being delivered exposed people to significant risk of harm. Care and support were not personalised to meet people’s wishes or needs and placed people in undignified or unsafe situations. The service is in breach of legal regulations in relation to person centred care, dignity and respect, consent, safe care and treatment, safeguarding, the safety of the environment, governance and safe staffing. The rating of the service is Inadequate. People lived in an environment that was not consistently safe. There were such as unresolved fire hazards and a staircase that was unsafe for people with complex needs, such as blindness, to use These placed people at risk of harm. Medications were not managed safely, and the provider had not ensured robust systems to assess the competency of staff who were undertaking these tasks. This included the provision of high-risk medicines which could have life-threatening consequences if not administered appropriately. Risks to people were not consistently assessed or well managed, and there were gaps in staff knowledge, training, risk assessment and environmental safety which increased these risks. Staff interactions with people were kind, however the overall culture at the service did not promote people’s dignity or quality of life. People were placed in disrespectful situations, were not supported to explore activities that were meaningful to them, and care that was provided was often task based. Governance systems were not robust to identify or resolve risks to people. Leaders were not consistently knowledgeable about their responsibilities to provide safe care and treatment. There was not a positive safeguarding culture at the service, and safety events were not always appropriately reported or learned from. In instances where CQC has begun a process of regulatory action, we may publish this information on our website after any representations and/or appeals have been concluded, if the action has been taken forward.  ”