Hill View

Updated 14 June 2023

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. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by two Inspectors 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 View is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Hill View is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was not a registered manager in post. A new manager had recently started and intended to register.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

Inspection activity started on 3rd May 2023 and ended on 15th May 2023. We visited the location’s service on 3rd May 2023.

What we did before 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 used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 2 relatives, 5 members of staff, including the deputy manager and the area manager. We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us. We reviewed a range of records. This included four people's care records, daily records and medication records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

Updated 14 June 2023

About the service

Hill View is a residential care home that can support up to 8 people. The service provides support to adults with a learning disability and/or autism, dementia, mental health conditions and physical disabilities. The service consists of a detached house and 2 self-contained annexes. At the time of our inspection there were 8 people living at the service.

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

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it.

The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right Support, Right Care, Right Culture. People’s care appeared person centred and there appeared to be a positive culture within the service, which maximised people’s independence.

Right Support

The service was situated nearby shops, local groups and bus routes. We saw people were supported to regularly access community services. The service had various communal areas such as an activity room, conservatory, a large lounge and dining area, and a garden, that could be accessed by all. Staff promoted people’s independence and supported people to have maximum choice and control in their lives; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Right Care

People received kind and compassionate care and were supported in a person-centred way. Staff had the training and knowledge to support people effectively. Staff promoted people's equality and diversity and knew them well as individuals. People's care, treatment and support plans contained a high level of detail to enable staff to support them in a way that promoted their well-being.

Right Culture

There was a positive culture within the service; staff were committed to providing high-quality, person-centred care that met people’s individual needs. Management proactively rectified issues identified on the day of inspection and were committed to making improvements within the service. Staff appeared to support each other and worked as a team to meet people’s needs. We received positive feedback from staff and relatives about the service.

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was inadequate (published 10 February 2023).

This service has been in Special Measures since August 2022. During this inspection the provider demonstrated that improvements have been made. The service is no longer rated as inadequate overall or in any of the key questions. Therefore, this service is no longer in Special Measures, however remains in breach of a regulation.

Why we inspected

This inspection was carried out to follow up on action we told the provider to take at the last inspection.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

We have found evidence that the provider needs to make improvements. Please see the safe and well-led sections of this full report.

The provider has taken action to mitigate the risks, and this has been effective.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Hill View on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect. We will request an action plan from the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.