Hill Lodge 1

Updated 21 October 2021

The inspection

This was a targeted inspection to check whether the provider had met the requirements of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 around specific safeguarding concerns, and concerns we had about risk monitoring and management.

Inspection team

The inspection was undertaken by one inspector and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Hill Lodge 1 is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

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 inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We contacted Healthwatch. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. 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 took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.

During the inspection

We spoke with three people who used the service and four relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with four members of staff including the registered manager, deputy manager, a senior care worker and a care worker.

We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records. A variety of records relating to the management and safety of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

Updated 21 October 2021

About the service

Hill Lodge 1 is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care to nine people with a learning disability and or autism at the time of the inspection.

The provider also supports people in a registered care home next door; Hill Lodge 2. The properties are interconnected by the second floor and people living at Hill Lodge 1 and its neighbouring property can spend time in either of the homes. The management and staffing arrangements are shared across both services

The service was bigger than most domestic style properties. It was registered for the support of up to nine people. This is larger than current best practice guidance detailed in Registering the Right Support. 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. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.

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. The provider had been made aware of the best practice guidance and people were encouraged to increase their independence.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

Without exception, people received care that was particularly responsive to meet individual needs and staff demonstrated a commitment to ensuring people were able to live fulfilling and happy lives. There was a genuine family feel to the environment in which people lived and it was clear people saw one another as family and had special relationships with staff. People were proud to live at Hill Lodge and relatives were extremely positive about experiences their loved ones had received.

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.

The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence. The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

People were kept safe from harm as staff knew people well and were able to offer tailored and specific support in order to keep people safe. There were sufficient numbers of staff to meet people’s needs and staff worked well with other agencies to ensure people received consistent and timely support.

People accessed healthcare as required and were supported to maintain healthy lifestyles. Medicines were managed in a safe way.

The registered manager and the senior management team were pro-active continually looking at ways to improve people’s lives and make the home a safe and comfortable place to live.

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

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was Good (report published 29 July 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up

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