The Care Quality Commission
  • Care Home
  • Care home

Archived: Hill Farm

Pontesbury, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY5 0UH (01743) 791975

Provided and run by:
The Pontesbury Project For People With Special Needs

All Inspections

9 October 2013

During a routine inspection

Hill Farm is a community home for a maximum of six residents. There were only three people resident at the time of the visit. The people who live at Hill Farm were not able to fully express their views about the services they received. We talked with two families and four members of staff. We also talked to members of the management committee which included members of the local community.

Families told us they were very happy with the care and treatment of their family member. One family told us that Hill Farm was "exactly what we want for them". Another told us that they had "nothing but the highest praise for all the staff at Hill Farm". Families told us that people exhibited behaviours that demonstrated that they felt safe at Hill Farm.

People were supported to undertake a wide range of social and leisure activities. They were encouraged to be as independent as possible. People were assisted in developing their independent living skills.

Care records were well organised and comprehensive and provided information to ensure people received safe effective care. Risk assessments were carried out ensuring risks were identified and action taken to minimise risk.

People at Hill farm received well balanced, well prepared food that took into consideration likes and dislikes.

5 February 2013

During a routine inspection

There were four people with learning disabilities living at Hill Farm on the day of our inspection. None of those that we met were able to talk about their experience of the service they received in any detail. However, we saw that people were relaxed and comfortable in the company of the staff.

We found that staff obtained people's consent in relation to the care provided to them although this was not always formally recorded.

We found that care plans were person centred and contained lots of information about people's individual choices and preferences. Staff had produced developmental objectives for each person and recorded progress towards achieving them. Staff we spoke with understood the people they were caring for well.

We saw that people's bedrooms were clean and that they were decorated and furnished in ways that reflected their individual preferences.

We found that medicines were safely stored, handled and administered. Medicine records were accurate and doctors' instructions were properly acted upon.

Staff told us that they enjoyed working at the home and they felt well supported by the manager. We found that staff training was comprehensive and up to date.

17 November 2011

During a routine inspection

When we visited Hill Farm we found that people were not able to tell us verbally about their views of the service.

Care plans reflected an individualised service that was delivered around people's assessed needs. Staff told us that they were aware of people's likes, dislikes and preferred lifestyle. They told us that these were taken into account when supporting them.

People's likes and dislikes, hobbies and dreams were recorded in care files seen and activities and outings had been arranged taking these into account.

On the day of our visit we saw people being supported sensitively and discreetly. Staff respected people's dignity and privacy and involved people fully in relation to all decisions made. Staff were confident that people's needs were understood and managed appropriately as they had received good training opportunities and felt well supported to do a good job. People were protected because staff were confident to recognise and report abuse.

People enjoyed a range of activities both within the home and trips out to places of interest. Staff liaised with families and people important to the person to find out what their likes and dislikes were.

An assessment of one person's needs who was considering coming to live at the home was underway. The acting manager and a member of staff had met the person and an individual plan to introduce them to the home and the people who live there was in place.

We spoke with a visiting health care professional who told us that they had a good working relationship with the acting manager and the staff team. They also said that the home was responsive to people's changing needs.