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Hills Independent Homecare Service

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

HIHS, 83 Duck Lane, Eynesbury, St Neots, Cambridgeshire, PE19 2DE (01480) 353227

Provided and run by:
Hills Independent Homecare Service

Report from 10 January 2024 assessment

On this page

Safe

Good

Updated 6 March 2024

People were protected from the risk of harm and abuse. People were supported to understand and manage risk. Care plans were clear and provided sufficient guidance to staff to keep people safe. There were sufficient and appropriately trained staff in place to support people.

This service scored 75 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

Learning culture

Score: 3

We did not look at Learning culture during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

Safe systems, pathways and transitions

Score: 3

We did not look at Safe systems, pathways and transitions during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

Safeguarding

Score: 3

Staff understood their responsibilities to keep people safe. Staff felt that the people they supported were safe with the support they received. Staff told us, "It is definitely a safe service, we look after people really well. Its good being a small company we look out for everyone and we know people really well, it is easy to keep updated."

There were effective systems, processes and practices to ensure people were safe from the risk of harm and abuse.

People told us they felt safe. We were told, "Yes I feel safe, they lock up before they go and check I am okay."

Involving people to manage risks

Score: 3

Staff were aware of and knew where to find information about people's risks. Staff told us they were given enough time to read care records and were kept up to date of any changes, for example through handover memos and staff meetings.

Care plans contained risk assessments to identify risks and keep people safe, for example, moving and handling assessments.

People told us they were involved in making decisions about their care and support. People and relatives told us that staff knew them well. A relative told us, "We do have a care plan and I feel we have been listened to, [registered manager] check up on us to check we are happy and if anything needs changing."

Safe environments

Score: 3

We did not look at Safe environments during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

Safe and effective staffing

Score: 3

The registered manager told us there were always enough staff employed to cover all the care calls, even though recruitment was challenging.

The provider used a thorough recruitment procedure to ensure that only suitable staff were employed. Staff confirmed that all required checks, such a criminal record check, references and personal identity had been completed before they were allowed to start work.

People told us they were supported by a consistent staff team who knew them well. People said staff attended on time and did not miss any of their scheduled calls. People told us they felt the staff had the skills to support them safely. A relative informed us that they had asked for their family member to always be supported by the same staff, and the registered manager had obliged with this request.

Infection prevention and control

Score: 3

We did not look at Infection prevention and control during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

Medicines optimisation

Score: 3

We did not look at Medicines optimisation during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.