HF Trust - Pound Lane

Date of assessment: 25 August to 9 September 2026.

We undertook an inspection of HF Trust – Pound Lane on 25 August 2026 and 1 September 2026. The service provides accommodation and personal care for people with a learning disability and autistic people. At the time of our assessment, 15 people were living at the service.

This inspection was prompted by information received which indicated there might be risks to people using the service. We considered the principles of Right Support, Right Care, Right Culture during our assessment. Whilst people received caring, person-centred support, the service did not consistently meet all aspects of this guidance because governance and safety systems were not always effective.

People appeared safe and spoke positively about living at the service. Staff knew people well and were committed to supporting them to live meaningful lives. Care planning was generally person-centred and people were supported to access healthcare services, maintain relationships and take part in community activities. Systems were in place to monitor health and safety, medicines and safeguarding concerns.

However, we identified some shortfalls which affected the consistency of safe care. These included medicines management issues, inconsistencies between paper and electronic records, gaps in some documentation, staffing pressures and areas of the environment requiring improvement. The provider had identified a number of these issues and was taking action to address them; however, further work was needed to ensure risks were consistently monitored and managed.

The registered manager had been absent from the service for an extended period and an interim manager was overseeing day-to-day operations. Staff described the interim manager as visible and proactive, and there was evidence of improvement work being undertaken with the local authority and partner agencies. The provider told us the registered manager was due to return shortly after the assessment. Whilst leaders demonstrated a commitment to improving the service, governance systems had not always identified and addressed issues promptly. Further work was needed to ensure oversight was consistently effective and improvements were embedded and sustained.

Date of assessment: 28 April to 22 May 2025.

We undertook an inspection of HF Trust – Pound Lane on 28 April 2025 and 7 May 2025. At our last inspection, the service was rated as Good (Published 19 August 2023). This was the first inspection carried out under our single assessment framework and was unannounced. This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about the service and intelligence received which suggested there was potentially a risk to people receiving support.

HF Trust – Pound Lane is a care home providing personal care and accommodation. The service supported people with a learning disability and autistic people. At the time of our inspection there were 17 people living there.

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. The service met this guidance.

We spoke with 15 staff members. This included support workers, senior support workers, managers and senior leaders. We spoke with 3 professionals that supported the people living at the service.

People felt safe and were supported by staff who understood their individual needs. Risk assessments were person-centred and regularly reviewed. Safeguarding procedures were well understood and followed. Staff were well-trained and worked collaboratively with health and social care professionals. People were supported to make informed choices and maintain their health and wellbeing.

People were treated with kindness and respect. Staff built trusting relationships and supported people in a way that promoted dignity and emotional wellbeing.

Support was tailored to each person’s preferences and regularly reviewed. People were encouraged to pursue interests and maintain important relationships. Feedback was welcomed and acted upon.

Professionals praised the collaborative approach and high standards. While staff described a supportive, inclusive team culture and valued leadership, some desired more face-to-face training.

People and staff felt listened to and involved. The service had a positive and inclusive culture. Leadership was visible and approachable, and quality assurance systems were in place to monitor and improve care.