HF Trust Hythe

Date of assessment: 25 November 2024 to 23 January 2025. HF Trust Kent DCA is a supported living service registered to provide personal care to people with a learning disability and or autism. We undertook the assessment as the provider had been in Special Measures since 27 July 2023 with breaches of regulation. We needed to check whether these had been met. Improvements had been made. The service is no longer rated as inadequate overall or in any of the key questions. Therefore, this service is no longer in Special Measures. The service had made improvements and was no longer in breach of regulations in relation to the safe care and treatment or need for consent. Shortfalls were found at this assessment, and the provider remained in breach of regulation in relation to the governance systems. Checks and audits were not always robust to identify and take action on all shortfalls. Staff felt on occasions their views were not always listened to or acted on. People told us they enjoyed living in their houses. People were at the centre of their care and made decisions about their lives. Staff were kind, treated people as individuals, empowered them to maintain and develop independent living skills and relationships. Staff protected people’s privacy and dignity and responded in a timely way. People were kept safe from potential abuse. Potential risks to people were assessed and mitigated however, staff did not always follow guidance to ensure people’s safety. Staffing levels had improved, people received their commissioned hours of support and continuity of care. We assessed the service against ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ guidance to make judgements about whether the provider guaranteed people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. We have asked for an action plan in response to the concerns found.