High Mount

Ratings

• Overall

  Good

• Safe

  Good

• Effective

  Good

• Caring

  Good

• Responsive

  Good

• Well-led

  Good

Our view of the service

Date of Assessment: 1 April 2025 until 21 April 2025 when feedback was provided. This assessment was carried out due to a new provider being registered and to review actions from the previous inspection which found the home Inadequate. High Mount is a residential care home split across 2 bungalows which are next to each other. The home provides support to people with a learning disability and autistic people.

Systems and processes were embedded into the service to ensure people received safe care. The new provider had actioned concerns we identified at our last inspection. The provider had systems in place to maintain oversight and drive improvements in the service, where shortfalls were identified, appropriate actions were taken to resolve them. Staff had appropriate training and skills to support people with dysphagia (swallowing difficulties). The service had built relationships with health professionals to ensure people received the correct support to meet their needs. Staff understood how to protect people from abuse. Systems were in place to manage and monitor people’s medication. The management and staff ensured those important to people were involved in discussions and made decisions in people’s best interests. People had enough staff to meet their needs. Staff supported people to enjoy one to one hours and meaningful activities. However, we found some areas required improving. All reportable incidents were not reported to CQC or the local safeguarding team. Interaction with people to meet their communication needs was not always observed. For example, when staff were sitting with people, they did not always have meaningful interaction. The registered manager was receptive to our feedback and to making the required improvements.

We assessed the service against ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ guidance to make judgements about whether the provider guaranteed people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted.

Date of Assessment: 1 April 2025 until 21 April 2025 when feedback was provided. This assessment was carried out due to a new provider being registered and to review actions from the previous inspection which found the home Inadequate. High Mount is a residential care home split across 2 bungalows which are next to each other. The home provides support to people with a learning disability and autistic people.

Systems and processes were embedded into the service to ensure people received safe care. The new provider had actioned concerns we identified at our last inspection. The provider had systems in place to maintain oversight and drive improvements in the service, where shortfalls were identified, appropriate actions were taken to resolve them. Staff had appropriate training and skills to support people with dysphagia (swallowing difficulties). The service had built relationships with health professionals to ensure people received the correct support to meet their needs. Staff understood how to protect people from abuse. Systems were in place to manage and monitor people’s medication. The management and staff ensured those important to people were involved in discussions and made decisions in people’s best interests. People had enough staff to meet their needs. Staff supported people to enjoy one to one hours and meaningful activities. However, we found some areas required improving. All reportable incidents were not reported to CQC or the local safeguarding team. Interaction with people to meet their communication needs was not always observed. For example, when staff were sitting with people, they did not always have meaningful interaction. The registered manager was receptive to our feedback and to making the required improvements.

We assessed the service against ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ guidance to make judgements about whether the provider guaranteed people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted.

People's experience of this service

We were not able to speak with most of the people supported by this provider. We spent time with people with their consent and observed staff interactions. We spoke with people’s relatives to gain feedback. People that were able to speak with us indicated they were happy with the support provided. People indicated they felt safe when being supported by staff who knew them well. Relatives told us they were happy with the support provided and the way staff supported people.

Relatives told us they were kept informed about their loved one’s wellbeing. Where a person’s needs had changed, or incidents had occurred, relatives confirmed they were informed. Relatives felt involved in the decisions about their loved one’s support, and confirmed they were involved in regular reviews. Relatives confirmed they felt able to raise any concerns and had confidence the new provider and management would address these. Relatives spoke positively about the management team who they described as approachable, and supportive. Relatives told us the positive changes they had seen since the new management and provider had been in place.