Hill View

Updated 21 April 2020

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 Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Hill View is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as 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

The inspection was announced the evening before our visit.

What we did before the inspection

We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections.

During the inspection

We spoke with everyone, but most people were not able to share their views of the service, due to complex communication and support needs. Therefore, we observed their experiences living at Hill View and staff interactions with them. We spoke with two registered managers, the regional manager and three staff members.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed. We also pathway three tracked people. This is where we check that the records for people match the care and support, they receive from staff.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at staff training, minutes of meetings and quality assurance records. We received feedback from one healthcare professional.

Updated 21 April 2020

Hill View is a residential care home providing personal care for up to six people. At the time of inspection, six people were living at the service. There is a second home on the same site that is separately registered. Both homes are run by the Regard Partnership, which is a national provider of care. People’s had various support needs associated with cerebral palsy, and epilepsy. People had complex communication needs and required staff who knew them well to meet their needs.

The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. 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.

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

The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent. They were encouraged to take part in daily living tasks with support from staff in areas such as laundry and cleaning.

People received support from staff who knew them very well as individuals. People’s care and support needs were assessed and reviewed regularly. This enabled them to receive care that was person-centred and reflected their needs and choices.

Staff supported people to take part in choosing activities to meet their individual needs and wishes. Some people loved train and bus rides. Others liked swimming, bowling and cinema trips. Staff ensured people had regular opportunities to use cafes and restaurants and to visit the bandstand at Eastbourne. Annual holidays were organised.

People were protected from the risks of harm, abuse or discrimination. Staff knew what actions to take if they identified concerns. The home was clean and tidy throughout. Enhanced cleaning had been instigated as a result of coronavirus and staff were thorough in relation to ensuring their own and people’s hands were kept clean. There were enough staff working to provide the support people needed, at times of their choice. Recruitment procedures ensured only suitable staff worked at the service.

In the absence of the registered manager who was on special leave at the time of inspection, there were good systems to ensure oversight of the service. Two registered managers from other services took it turn to provide cover and to share the role. Quality assurance systems were comprehensive and ensured all aspects of the running of the home were examined regularly, records were kept up to date and any actions resulting from audits were addressed swiftly.

Staff understood the risks associated with the people they supported. Risk assessments provided further guidance for staff about individual and environmental risks. People were supported to receive their medicines safely.

Staff received training that helped them to deliver the care and support people needed. This included specialist training in autism, epilepsy and person-centred active support. Staff attended regular supervision meetings and told us they were very well supported by the registered managers.

People's health and well-being needs were met. Where appropriate, staff supported people to attend health appointments, such as the GP or dentist, and appointments for specialist advice and support. People’s nutritional needs were assessed, and specialist diets were catered for. Menus were varied and well balanced.

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. There was a detailed complaint procedure, and this was displayed so anyone wanting to raise a concern could do so.

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. (Published 4 September 2017).

The overall rating for the service has remained Good. This is based on the findings at this inspection.

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.