We carried out an unannounced inspection of this service on 12 April 2018. This was the first inspection since the service registered with the Care Quality Commission in February 2017.

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

Hillsview Eastwood House is a 20 bedded service for people with mental health needs, learning disabilities, physical disabilities or dementia. The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen. At the time of our inspection, eleven people were living in the home, including one person who was receiving respite care for a short period.

The home had a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the home. Like registered providers, they are 'registered persons'. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the legal requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and the associated regulations on how the home is run. The registered manager was not available on the day of our inspection but we were assisted by the general manager.

During our inspection, we found that people were not always supported to engage in individual activities of their choice. We have made a recommendation for the provider to look into developing more personalised activity plans with people because some people told us they did not have many things to do during the day.

Staff treated people with respect. People's privacy and dignity were maintained. We saw that staff supported people patiently and were attentive to their needs. They engaged with people in a kind and considerate manner.

People received safe care. Risks to them were identified and there was guidance in place for staff to minimise these risks. People were supported by staff who had received training to provide a safe and effective service. Staff knew procedures to follow to ensure people were protected from abuse.

There were sufficient numbers of staff on duty to provide care and support to people. Staff were recruited appropriately and the necessary pre-employment background checks were carried out to determine they were suitable to work in the home. They received training to enable them to carry out their roles.

Systems were in place to ensure medicines for people were administered safely and when needed. Medicines were stored securely and were only administered by staff who were trained.

Equipment and installations in the home were safe to use. They were maintained and serviced annually, although we noted during our inspection that a gas safety test was overdue. However, this had been arranged to take place the following day.

People lived in an environment that was clean, safe and suitable for their needs. Infection control procedures were in place. Accidents or incidents that took place were reported and lessons were learned to prevent any reoccurrence.

People’s nutritional needs were met. Staff worked with health and social care professionals, such as community psychiatric nurses and GPs, to ensure that people remained healthy and well.

People were supported to have choice and remain as independent as possible. The service was compliant with the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). Staff understood the principles of the MCA and had received training on this.

People were involved in decisions about their care where they had capacity. Relatives and social care professionals ensured decisions made