High View Care Services Limited

On this page

• Overview
• Learning culture
• Safe systems, pathways and transitions
• Safeguarding
• Involving people to manage risks
• Safe environments
• Safe and effective staffing
• Infection prevention and control
• Medicines optimisation

Safe – this means we looked for evidence that people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm

People using the service were protected from abuse and avoidable harm.

This service scored 75 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

The service had effective systems for reporting and learning from incidents. When incidents occurred, investigations were conducted, and appropriate actions were taken. The registered manger shared learning from incidents, accidents, complaints and safeguarding concerns with staff and the in-house therapeutic team. This helped staff make improvements in their care practice and reduce the likelihood of the same issues reoccurring.

People were supported with transitions between services. The staff worked closely with other professionals to make sure they had information about people’s needs. People had hospital passports that could be shared with health care professionals and hospitals if required. These provided information about people’s medical and physical health needs and their communication needs.

Assessment of people’s needs were carried out before they moved to the service to establish what support people needed. The service offered places for people to stay on a long or short-term basis. Some people had moved to the service following a hospital stay to help them rehabilitate. The provider had other care accommodation for people to move to as their rehabilitation progressed. Staff (rehabilitation assistants) and in-house therapists’ team supported these transitions. This helped make sure there were safe systems and pathways for people during these transitions.

The provider had procedures in place to help protect people from abuse. We saw information on a notice board for staff and people using the service for reporting safeguarding concerns. We saw a copy of the provider’s whistle blowing procedure was available to staff. A person using the service told us, “I love the staff because they look after me. I feel very safe living here.” Staff told us they had received training on safeguarding adults from abuse, and they felt confident any concerns they raised would be managed appropriately.

People were supported by (care staff known as rehabilitation assistants and neuro rehabilitation coaches who were part of an in-house therapy team). Staff provided care to meet people’s needs that was safe, supportive and enabled people to do the things that mattered to them. People received safe care from staff who understood and managed risks effectively. Staff told us how they supported people at risk of falls, accessing the community and keeping safe when using the kitchen.

There were systems and processes that protected residents from avoidable harm. Risks to people’s safety and wellbeing were assessed and planned for. People had individual risk assessments in place relating to for example falls and moving and handling where people required 1-1 support when walking, absconding, medicines, diabetes management, substance misuse and accessing the community. People also had individual emergency evacuation plans in place which highlighted the level of support they required to evacuate the building safely in the event of an emergency.

The design of the premises met people's needs. The service was in the process of being redecorated when we visited. We saw regular servicing was carried out on the fire alarm system, portable appliances, gas safety and water legionella testing. The kitchen had received a food hygiene rating of 5 in July 2024 from the Food Standards Agency. There was a garden at the rear of the service with suitable furniture for people to use at their leisure. People had their own bedrooms which they could personalise with furniture and belongings. A person told us, “My room is spotless, I have all my own things, including a TV and a safe.”

We observed there were enough staff deployed throughout the service to meet people’s needs when required. People told us there was enough staff to meet their needs. A person said, “There is always enough staff when I need them.” Another person told us, “There is always plenty of staff around during the day, night and at weekends.” Staff told us staffing levels are good. A member of staff said, “We have enough staff to look after people. We also have the therapeutic team that provide support to people with their needs.”

Robust recruitment procedures were in place. Recruitment records included a CV (curriculum vitae),checks on employment histories, employment references, proof of identification, health checks, and right to work in the UK checks. We saw evidence that Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks had been carried out. DBS checks provide information including details about convictions and cautions held on the Police National Computer. The information helps employers make safer recruitment decisions.

We saw a training matrix which indicated that staff had completed training in areas such as mental health, diabetes, fire safety, health and safety, basic life support and first aid, infection control, assisting and moving people, safeguarding adults, the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). A staff member told us, “I am up to date with all the training the provider sets for me. I had training relevant to people’s care needs such as mental health and acquired brain injury. This has helped me understand how the people living here need to be supported.” We also saw a supervision matrix that confirmed staff received regular supervision.

There were systems in place to help prevent and control infections. We observed the service was clean and hygienic throughout and regular infection control audits were carried out. Toilets were clean and included soap, paper hand drying towels and working peddle bins. The service manager told us there were cleaning schedules in place. The schedule covered the kitchen, people’s rooms, toilets and communal areas.

Training records confirmed that all staff had received training on infection control. Staff were provided with personal protective equipment (PPE) when needed. We saw they wore this appropriately. People told us the home was kept clean, and they were happy with this.

The provider made sure that medicines and treatments were safe and met people’s needs, capacities and preferences. People received their medicines safely and as prescribed. A person using the service told us, “The staff support me with taking my medicines. They make sure I get it on time.” A relative told us, “The staff make sure my loved one gets their medicines. My loved one is well looked after.”

Medicines were administered by trained staff who had completed up-to-date medication competency assessments. We saw medication administration records were completed accurately by staff, with codes for non-administration where appropriate. PRN (as required) medicines protocols were in place to guide staff on when to administer these medicines. Controlled drugs were stored securely and signed by 2 staff when they were administered.

Regular daily, weekly and monthly medicines audits were carried out. These covered areas such as daily medicine balances, safe medicines cupboard and fridge temperatures. All medicines administered had been signed for and PRN protocols were in place for people who were prescribed ‘as required’ medication.