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Hales Group Limited - North East

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

Hypoint, Saltmeadows Road, Gateshead, NE8 3AH (0191) 737 1112

Provided and run by:
Hales Group Limited

Latest inspection summary

On this page

Our current view of the service

Good

Updated 8 October 2025

Date of Assessment:24Novemberto13 January2026.

The service is a care at home service registered to provide support to older people and younger adults, including people who may live with dementia, mental health, sensory impairment, eating disorder, misuse drugs and alcohol, physical disability or learning disability needs.

An inspection has been undertaken of a specialist service that is registered for use by autistic people or people with a learning disability. At the time of inspection, the service was not used by anyone with a learning disability or an autistic person. However, we assessed the care provision under Right Support, Right Care, Right Culture, as it is registered as a specialist service for this population group.

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it.

At this inspection we found the service was predominantly meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, Right care, Right culture. We identified some improvements to roster management to ensure people received the right support from a consistent staff team.

At the time of inspection there were37 people using the service and all of the people were receiving the regulated activity personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do, we also consider any wider social care provided.

A registered manager was in place. A registered manager is registered with the Commission and is legally responsible to ensure that the service is compliant with legal and regulatory requirements.

At our last inspection, we identified breaches of legal regulations in relation to good staffing, meeting nutritional and hydrational needs and good governance. At this inspection, improvements had been made, and the provider was no longer in breach of legal regulations.

Staffing capacity was sufficient to ensure people's needs were met in a safe way. Improvements had been made to roster management. However, improvements made needed to be sustained, with systems in place when there was a change in management, so all people received consistent care from staff members familiar to them. Systems were in place for people to receive their medicines in a safe way. There were enough staff with the necessary skills, qualifications and experience to meet people’s needs. Staff were safely recruited. People were treated with kindness and compassion. Staff protected their privacy and dignity.

Risk assessments were in place, and they identified current risks to the person as well as ways for staff to minimise or appropriately manage those risks. Records were up-to-date and reflected people's care and support needs. People’s mental capacity and ability to consent was taken into account. People and their representatives were involved in planning their care and support. There was evidence of collaborative working and communication with other professionals to help meet people's needs.

Most people, relatives and staff were confident about approaching the registered manager and management team if they needed to. However, not all felt that their views and feedback were valued and respected and used to support service development. This had been identified and was being addressed by the registered manager. Processes were in place to manage and respond to complaints and concerns. Improvements had been made to governance since the last inspection. Systems were in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service, however some improvements were identified.

People's experience of the service

Updated 8 October 2025

We received positive comments that staff were kind and caring, they were patient. Relative and peoples’ comments included, “We have nothing but praise for all the staff”, “We are really pleased with the agency and very glad to be staying with them” and “I am very much treated with respect and dignity. The personality of staff is very friendly, and we have a laugh. ”However not all people were as positive. A relative commented, “The carers aim to be caring to my relative, but the passion and commitment to deliver is missing.” We received mixed feedback about roster management as not all people told us they received consistent care from staff they knew, or that they were informed if calls were running late. People and relatives’ comments included, “The carers change a lot which is not good because you have to explain things again and again”, “[Name]has had 5 different carers in a day and with their condition this is a little confusing” and “We always receive a roster and are informed if calls are running late.”

People were supported to make choices and were involved in decision making about their care and support. Relatives and people said they had opportunities to give feedback. Most relatives told us communication was effective, and they were kept informed and involved. Their comments included, “Messages are passed on, and staff are very helpful re changes in times and dates” and “I called the office about a minor issue which was dealt with straight away.” However, not all people and relatives felt listened to and not all people said there was a timely response when concerns were raised. Their comments included, “The staff keep making promises to sort things out but never do” and “The management promised that the carers will keep on time, but this has never happened.”