Hillcrest

Updated 14 May 2019

The inspection:

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team:

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type:

Hillcrest is a care home. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. At the time of our inspection, four people were receiving this type of service.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection:

This was an announced inspection. We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection visit because it is small service, which cares for people with learning disabilities and autism and people needed to be informed we planned to visit the service. We also needed to be sure that people and staff would be available.

What we did:

Prior to the inspection we reviewed information we had received about the service, including information within the Provider Information Return (PIR). This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We reviewed other information received from the provider, such as statutory notifications about incidents and events the provider must tell us about. We sought feedback from other professionals who work with the service. We took this information into account when we inspected the service and in making judgements in this report.

During the inspection we spoke with one person using the service and two relatives. We spoke with two care staff, two senior staff, the deputy manager and the registered manager.

We looked at the care records for three people using the service and three staff recruitment records. We examined other records relating to staff support and training and the management of the service. These included, records relating to staff training, supervision, medicines, incident and accidents, complaints, safeguarding and maintenance and the quality monitoring audit systems.

Updated 14 May 2019

About the service:

Hillcrest is a residential care home that is registered to provide personal care for up to five adults with learning disabilities and autism.

The service worked within the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensured that people could 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 over their own lives, choice, and independence.

People’s experience of using this service:

• People received safe care and were protected against avoidable harm, neglect and discrimination.

• Risks to people’s safety were assessed and strategies were put in place to reduce the risks.

• The recruitment practices ensured suitable staff were employed to work at the service and staff were employed in sufficient numbers to meet people’s needs.

• Peoples medicines were safely managed.

• Systems were in place to control and prevent the spread of infection.

• People’s needs were assessed to ensure the service could meet their needs.

• Staff received an induction and ongoing training that enabled them to have the skills and knowledge to provide effective care.

• People were supported to maintain good nutrition and hydration.

• Staff supported people to live healthier lives and access to healthcare services.

• People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible.

• Staff treated people with kindness, compassion and respect.

• People were supported to express their views and be involved in making decisions about their care.

• People were involved in planning their care and in on-going reviews of their care.

• Systems were in place to continuously monitor the quality of the service.

• The service worked in partnership with outside agencies.

Last Inspection Rating:

Requires Improvement (report published on 27/04/2018).

The service met the characteristics for a rating of ‘good’ in all five key questions we inspected. Therefore, our overall rating for the service after this inspection was ‘Good’.

Why we inspected:

This was a planned inspection.

Follow up:

We will continue to monitor the service through the information we receive until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received, we may inspect sooner.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk