Hilltop

Updated 24 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 conducted by 1 inspector and an expert by experience who made telephone calls. 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

Hilltop 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. Hilltop 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 manager in post. They were not yet registered with CQC.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service. 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 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 spoke with 4 relatives and 7 staff members which included the manager. We reviewed 4 people's care records and 3 medicine records. We looked at 3 staff files in relation to recruitment. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures and audits were reviewed. We received feedback from 1 health and social care professional.

Updated 24 June 2023

About the service

Hilltop is a residential care home providing personal care and accommodation to up to 7 people. The service provides care and support to autistic people. At the time of our inspection there were 7 people using the service.

The home is set over 2 floors with a communal lounge, dining room, garden.

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

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right support, right care, right culture is the statutory guidance which supports CQC to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people. We considered this guidance as there were people using the service who have a learning disability and or who are autistic.

Right Support:

People’s medicines were managed safely.

Staff and people cooperated to assess risks people might face. Where appropriate, staff encouraged and enabled people to take positive risks.

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.

People were supported by staff to pursue their interests, so people had a fulfilling and meaningful everyday life. Staff supported people to achieve their aspirations and goals.

The service gave people care and support in a safe environment. People were able to personalise their rooms.

Governance systems monitored and assessed the quality of care regularly.

Right Care:

The service was working to stabilise staffing after recent changes. Supervision of staff and training compliance was a focus for the service to complete.

People received kind and compassionate care. People’s independence was promoted. Staff understood how to protect people from poor care and abuse. Staff had training on how to recognise and report abuse and they knew how to apply it.

People could communicate with staff and understand information given to them because staff supported them consistently and understood their individual communication needs.

People’s care, treatment and support plans reflected their range of needs and this promoted their wellbeing and enjoyment of life.

People received care that supported their needs and aspirations and was focused on their quality of life.

Right Culture:

People led inclusive and empowered lives because of the ethos, values, attitudes and behaviours of the management and staff.

Staff knew and understood people well and were responsive, supporting their aspirations to live a quality life of their choosing.

Staff placed people’s wishes, needs and rights at the heart of everything they did.

People and those important to them, were involved in planning their care.

Staff evaluated the quality of support provided to people, involving the person, their families and other professionals as appropriate.

The service enabled people and those important to them to work with staff to develop the service. Staff valued and acted upon people’s views.

People’s quality of life was enhanced by the service’s culture and inclusivity.

Staff ensured risks of a closed culture were minimised so that people received support based on transparency and respect.

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

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 1 December 2020 and this is the first inspection.

The last rating for the service under the previous provider was good, published on 3 April 2020.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

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.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.