12 July 2017
During a routine inspection
Hillsview Care Services provides residential care and accommodation for five adults with learning disabilities and mental health support needs. At the time of the inspection, there were three people living at the service and one person was about to move in to the service.
The service had a registered manager in post, although they were unavailable on the day of the inspection. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are 'registered persons'. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
The provider had measures in place to ensure the environment was suitable and safe for people using the service. We have made a recommendation for the provider to review the water fittings in the service in accordance with the Water Supply Regulations 1999. This was because there were no shower hose retaining clips in the shower cubicles, which would reduce the risk of the shower heads dropping into the shower tray and contaminating the supply of drinking water.
Medicines were managed safely by staff who were trained and assessed as competent. People received their medicines at the required times and in the way they had been prescribed.
People were safe at the service and were cared for by staff who were knowledgeable about safeguarding people. Staff knew how to report any concerns of abuse.
Risks to people had been assessed and there was guidance in place on how to manage them safely. There were sufficient staff available to meet people's needs. Staff received training in relevant areas to ensure they had the skills to provide safe care.
There was a safe recruitment process and staff were checked and recruited to ensure they were suitable to provide care and support to people.
People were supported with their finances by the provider and procedures were in place for people who had representatives who were legally appointed to look after their finances.
People's consent was sought where appropriate. The provider followed the legal requirements outlined in Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and was compliant with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA).
Staff were caring, interacted well with people and respected their privacy. They promoted people’s independence where possible.
People were supported by staff to attend appointments with healthcare professionals. They were able to express their views about their care.
People were supported to have a balanced diet and were provided with meals of their choosing. Their health and wellbeing was monitored and promoted by staff.
People’s care plans were personalised and contained information about aspects of their life, although we have made a further recommendation to include more details about people’s daily interests and activities.
There was a complaints procedure in place. Staff were able to support people if they wished to complain. Relatives knew how to make a complaint and all complaints were investigated.
Staff, people and relatives told us the registered manager was experienced, supportive and approachable.
The registered manager was supported by a home manager and a deputy manager, who operated the service when the registered manager was not present.
The provider had systems in place to evaluate and monitor the quality of the service. Annual satisfaction reviews were carried out by the registered manager. The management team demonstrated an understanding of their role and responsibilities.