Hilldales Residential Care Home

The following is CQC's published account of its assessment, published 20 October 2025. References to “we” mean CQC. It describes findings at that time.

Date of assessment 2 July to 13 August 2025. We visited the service on 2 July 2025. Hilldales is a residential care home providing care and support to a maximum of 56 adults who have needs arising from alcohol problems or mental health issues. At the time of our assessment there were 46 people living at the home.

This assessment was carried out as we had concerns in relation to the leadership and management of the service. These concerns were not substantiated during our assessment.

The provider was previously in breach of the legal regulation in relation to safe care and treatment. Improvements were found at this assessment and the provider was no longer in breach of this regulation.

Records viewed consistently showed there was a proactive culture regarding health and safety incidents or concerns. These had been effectively reflected upon and used to drive improvement.Accidents and incidents were monitored for any patterns to aid learning and resulted in changes that improved care for people. There were appropriate and timely referrals and reviews of people’s care and support. For example, with GPs, mental health practitioners and social workers.

The service worked in partnership with people to understand and manage risks. People lived safely and free from unwarranted restrictions because the service assessed, monitored, and managed safety well. We found the service was working within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and if needed, appropriate legal authorisations were requested to deprive a person of their liberty.

Staff were trained to monitor, anticipate, and observe changes in behaviour. This helped them identify if people were unwell or upset and provide the support they needed. Effective infection control measures were in place. Medicines were managed safely.

The provider was investing in the service to ensure people experienced a safe, supportive and homely place to live, which had positive outcomes on their overall well-being. The provider undertook regular health and safety checks of the premises. Safety systems and equipment used at the service were maintained and serviced at regular intervals to make sure these remained in good order and safe for use.

The service made sure there were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff, who received effective support, supervision and development. The provider used safe and effective recruitment and selection processes to recruit new staff.

Staff and leaders demonstrated a positive, compassionate, listening culture which promoted trust and understanding between them, and people using the service and were focused on learning and improvement.

There were clear and effective governance, management, sustainability, and accountability arrangements in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service.

The provider and their management team worked with other services, including the local authority. They accessed best practice learning resources and kept up to date with changes in the social care system.