Archived: Hinton Lodge

Updated 3 January 2020

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

One inspector carried out this inspection.

Service and service type

Hinton Lodge is a ‘care home’ People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from Redcar and Cleveland local authority. We also contacted Healthwatch. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with three people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with four members of staff including the registered manager, house manager and two senior care workers.

We reviewed a range of records. This included one person’s care records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

Updated 3 January 2020

About the service

Hinton Lodge provides support for up to four people who have mental health needs or learning disabilities. The home is an adapted building and provides residential care to young adults and older adults. At the time of inspection three people were using the service.

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.

The service was a small home, similar to a domestic style property. It was registered for the support of up to four people. Four people were using the service. This is in line with current best practice guidance. The design of the building supported people to be independent. It was located within a residential area, close to local amenities. 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 said they loved living at the service. It was close to local amenities which supported them to be independent. They were very positive about staff and the care which they received. This helped them to feel safe. Staff were responsive to people’s needs and acted quickly when risks to people were identified. People said there were always enough staff on duty to look after them.

Staff knew people well and had the right training to support them. People were well supported to maintain their health and well-being. Staff followed guidance from health professionals to manage any risks. The home was well maintained.

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.

People were very complimentary about staff. They told us they received the best care from them. Staff involved people in all aspects of their care. People were encouraged to be independent and were supported to maintain relationships with relatives.

Staff had been in post for many years and had excellent knowledge of people. People received consistent, individualised care and support. Positive relationships between people and staff had been developed. They referred to each other as 'family.'

The registered manager and staff worked together to deliver good care to people. This had led to positive outcomes for people. Quality assurance measures had been effective in maintaining a good level of care for people. Feedback was sought and used to make improvements.

The service 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 6 June 2017).

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.