High View Care Services Limited - 9 High View Road

Updated 10 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

This inspection was carried out by 1 inspector.

Service and service type

High View Care Services Limited - 9 High View Road 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. High View Care Services Limited - 9 High View Road 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 a registered manager in post.

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 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 1 person using the service, a rehabilitation team leader and the operations manager. We asked them for their views about the safety and quality of care and support provided at the service. We reviewed a range of records. This included 1 person’s care records, records relating to medicines management, 2 staff recruitment files, and other records relating to the management of the service.

Updated 10 June 2023

About the service

High View Care Services Limited - 9 High View Road is a care home providing personal care to up to 5 people. The service provides support to people with mental health conditions, some with a history of substance abuse. At the time of our inspection there were 4 people living at the service but only 1 was receiving personal care. Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do, we also consider any wider social care provided.

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

People received the right support in relation to risks, such as those relating to mental health conditions and substance abuse. However, the provider had not always assessed these risks in line with best practice. People were not always supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives so staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service did not always support this practice. Health and safety checks were carried out of the premises to make sure they were safe. However, a risk assessment relating to water borne infections had not been carried out in line with best practice, and we found the same concern at our last inspection. The provider checked staff were suitable to work with people through recruitment checks although gaps in employment histories were not always explored. All these issues meant the provider’s oversight of the service required improvement.

The premises were clean, tidy and hygienic and staff followed current infection control and hygiene practice to reduce the risk of infections. Staff received training in infection control practices, including the safe use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Staff were trained in safeguarding to keep their knowledge of their responsibilities up to date. There were enough staff to support people safely and staff knew people well. People received the right support in relation to their medicines.

The registered manager communicated with people and staff to gather their feedback as part of improving the service. Staff felt well supported. Care was provided in a person-centred way. The provider had a team of psychologists and occupational therapists who worked with people to improve their lives. The provider also worked with local health and social care services to ensure people received the care they needed.

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

Rating at last inspection

At the last inspection the service was rated good (report published September 2018).

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service. This report only covers our findings in relation to the key questions safe and well-led. For those key questions not inspected, we used the ratings awarded at the last inspection to calculate the overall rating.

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 that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Enforcement

We have identified a breach in relation to good governance. Please see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.

Follow up

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.