Hillcrest, Pontefract
CQC Inspection Breakdown
| Safe | Requires improvement |
| Effective | Good |
| Caring | Requires improvement |
| Responsive | Good |
| Well-led | Requires improvement |
About Hillcrest
Hillcrest is home for up to 20 adults with learning disabilities. On the day of our inspection there were 20 people using the service. There are also 2 smaller houses, 1 Hill Close and 2 Hill Close, which are registered separately but form part of one complex with many elements such as staffing, and policies shared across all three buildings. We inspected these services in a 2-week period as much of the evidence we needed to gather was common to all 3.
Source: CQC inspection report
Specialisms
About Hillcrest
For families seeking quality care in Pontefract, Wakefield, Hillcrest is a registered residential care home with a commitment to resident wellbeing. The home is operated by Hillcrest & Lyndale Care & Support Services Limited and can accommodate up to 20 residents. Following their most recent inspection on 02/12/2023, the Care Quality Commission rated Hillcrest as Requires improvement. Across the five inspection categories, the home scored Good for Effective, Responsive; Requires Improvement for Safe and Caring and Well-led. The home caters to a range of care needs, including learning disabilities and mental health conditions. The service supports learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder, mental health. The WF8 postcode area has 10 registered care homes with a combined 363 beds — so there are options to compare in the local area.
Finding the right care home is a deeply personal decision, and we hope this information helps you and your family feel more confident as you explore your options. Every person deserves care that respects their individuality, and the right home will feel welcoming from the moment you walk through the door.
Hillcrest is one of the care homes in Wakefield — a local authority with 98 CQC-registered homes, 66 of which are rated Good or Outstanding.
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Further Reading & Official Sources
- Official CQC inspection report for Hillcrest
- View Hillcrest on Google Maps
- NHS care home finder near WF8 3ND
We link to official and independent sources so families can verify the information on this page.
What to Expect When Visiting
When visiting a residential care home, pay attention to the atmosphere as much as the facilities. The best homes feel warm, unhurried, and genuinely caring — like a place where your loved one could feel at home.
- Try to visit at different times of day, including mealtimes, to see the home in action.
- Speak with staff and, if possible, current residents or their families about their experience.
- Ask how the home supports residents who may need nursing care in the future.
- Look at the communal spaces — do they feel welcoming, clean, and well-used?
Questions to Ask When Visiting
It can be hard to know what to ask during a care home visit. Here are some questions tailored to Hillcrest's type of care that may help guide your conversation:
- 1 What happens if a resident's care needs increase beyond what you can provide?
- 2 How do you support residents to stay active and connected to their community?
- 3 Can residents personalise their rooms with their own furniture and belongings?
- 4 What does a typical day look like for someone living here?
For a more complete checklist, see our guide to choosing a care home.
Official CQC Inspection Report
The Care Quality Commission last inspected Hillcrest on 02/12/2023 and rated it Requires improvement. The full report includes detailed findings on safety, staffing, and quality of care.
Read the full CQC reportWhat families typically look for
- - How friendly and attentive the care staff are day-to-day
- - What activities and social events are available for residents
- - How the home handles changing care needs over time
These reflect common priorities we see from families researching care homes. For personalised advice, we recommend visiting in person and speaking to current families.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if a resident's care needs increase beyond what you can provide?
CQC rated Hillcrest as Good for Responsive care on 02/12/2023, which includes how the home adapts to residents' changing needs. Ask what the home's protocol is when a resident needs a higher level of nursing care — whether they support a managed transition or have partnerships with local nursing homes.
How do you support residents to stay active and connected to their community?
CQC rated Hillcrest as Requires Improvement for Caring on 02/12/2023. This domain covers how staff support residents' emotional wellbeing, social connection, and sense of purpose. During your visit, ask to see the activities timetable and speak with current residents or their families about daily life.
Can residents personalise their rooms with their own furniture and belongings?
Most residential care homes encourage residents to bring personal furniture and belongings to make their room feel like home. When visiting Hillcrest, ask about room sizes, any restrictions on furniture, and whether residents can hang pictures and decorate their space as they wish. A personalised room can make a significant difference to a resident's sense of comfort and identity.
What does a typical day look like for someone living here?
With 20 residents and care tailored to learning disabilities, daily routines at Hillcrest will be shaped around individual needs. During your visit, observe the lunchtime atmosphere, ask about morning routines and whether residents have flexibility around wake-up times and meal choices, and check what a typical afternoon looks like.
What is the CQC rating for Hillcrest?
Hillcrest in Pontefract is rated Requires improvement by the Care Quality Commission. The most recent inspection was on 02/12/2023. The home has 20 beds.
How many beds does Hillcrest have?
Hillcrest has 20 beds and operates as a residential care home in Pontefract.
Location
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Other Care Homes in WF8
More from Hillcrest & Lyndale Care & Support Services Limited
- 1 Hill Close Pontefract · Requires improvement
- 2 Hill Close Pontefract · Requires improvement
- Lyndale Pontefract · Good
Similar Learning disabilities homes
- Sandhurst Court Dewsbury · Good
- Firs Court Chessington · Good
- Hillside Lodge Halstead · Good
Data from the Care Quality Commission, last updated March 2026. View on CQC website → How we use this data