We carried out a review of the data available to us about High Ridges on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about High Ridges, you can give feedback on this service.
High Ridges is a residential care home providing personal care for up to six people living with learning disabilities and/or autistic spectrum. Some people also had physical disabilities and sensory impairments. Six people were living at the service at the time of the inspection.
The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.
There were deliberately no identifying signs, intercom, cameras, industrial bins or anything else outside to indicate it was a care home. Staff were also discouraged from wearing anything that suggested they were care staff when coming and going with people.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People were supported by staff who had an excellent understanding of their needs and were exceptionally skilled. Staff were dedicated to promoting people’s independence. Each interaction with people was seen as an opportunity to achieve this. People were encouraged to set ambitious goals and achieved these, which had highly positive impacts on their wellbeing and confidence. The service was unanimously praised by people, relatives and professionals. One relative said, “They do the absolute best for each individual.”
People were integrated and welcomed into their local communities and made full use of a range of community facilities. They were supported to develop and maintain positive relationships with friends and family.
People were able to take positive risks. They were involved with monitoring safety in the service and staff recruitment. People’s relatives felt the service was a safe place for their family members to live.
Staff worked with healthcare professionals to support people to live healthy lives. The dietary needs of people were well understood, this contributed to people’s physical health improving. Meal times were a social experience, where people were encouraged to try new foods.
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.
There was a warm, caring atmosphere at the service. People saw the service as a second family. People’s choices and independence were at central to how support was delivered. The contribution of each person was valued, promoting inclusivity and an understanding of equality and diversity.
The provider placed people at the centre of its aims and objectives. Staff understood these values and promoted them in their work. People and their relatives were involved in the running of the service. They were consulted about any changes planned and what activities they would like to do.
The service consistently applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.
The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was good (published 29 November 2016).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.
High Ridges is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to six people with learning disabilities, autistic spectrum disorder and physical disabilities. There were five people using the service on the day of our inspection.
There was a registered manager in post at the time of our 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.
People were protected from harm and abuse by staff who had received training in how to recognise, respond to and report abuse. People and their relatives knew how to report any concerns about people’s safety and wellbeing and felt comfortable doing so. The risks associated with individual’s care and support had been assessed and managed. The provider had assessed and organised their staffing requirements based upon people's individual care and support needs. People received their medicines safely from staff.
People were supported by staff with the necessary skills and knowledge to meet their individual needs. Staff received effective induction, training and supervision. People's rights under the Mental Capacity Act were protected by the provider and staff team, and their consent to care was sought. People had the support they required to eat and drink comfortably and safely, and any associated risks were managed.
People were supported in a kind and caring manner. Staff knew the people living at the home well, and treated them with dignity and respect. People were encouraged and supported to express their views and be involved in decision-making.
People received care and support that was tailored to their individual needs and preferences. They knew how to complain about the service if they needed to. People's feedback on the service was actively sought and acted on.
The provider promoted a positive and inclusive culture within the service. People, their relatives and staff felt informed and involved. Staff felt well supported and able to challenge practice, if necessary. The provider had developed quality assurance systems to drive improvement at the service.