InadequateSafe: InadequateEffective: Requires improvementCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: GoodWell-led: InadequateRated this month↓ Down from Good
SafeAre people protected from abuse and avoidable harm?34%Inadequate
See the breakdownHide the breakdown8 of 8 below good
Involving people to manage risksSignificant shortfalls
Medicines optimisationSignificant shortfalls
Safe and effective staffingSignificant shortfalls
Safe environmentsSignificant shortfalls
SafeguardingSignificant shortfalls
Infection prevention and controlSome shortfalls
Learning cultureSome shortfalls
Safe systems, pathways and transitionsSome shortfalls
EffectiveDoes care achieve good outcomes and a good quality of life?50%Requires improvement
See the breakdownHide the breakdown5 of 6 below good
Delivering evidence-based care and treatmentSignificant shortfalls
Assessing needsSome shortfalls
Consent to care and treatmentSome shortfalls
Monitoring and improving outcomesSome shortfalls
Supporting people to live healthier livesSome shortfalls
How staff, teams and services work togetherGood
CaringAre staff kind, compassionate and respectful?60%Requires improvement
See the breakdownHide the breakdown3 of 5 below good
Independence, choice and controlSome shortfalls
Responding to people's immediate needsSome shortfalls
Treating people as individualsSome shortfalls
Kindness, compassion and dignityGood
Workforce wellbeing and enablementGood
ResponsiveAre services organised to meet people's needs?68%Good
See the breakdownHide the breakdown2 of 7 below good
Care provision, integration and continuitySome shortfalls
Providing InformationSome shortfalls
Equity in accessGood
Equity in experiences and outcomesGood
Listening to and involving peopleGood
Person-centred careGood
Planning for the futureGood
Well-ledIs the home well managed, with a culture of high-quality care?36%Inadequate
See the breakdownHide the breakdown6 of 7 below good
Capable, compassionate and inclusive leadersSignificant shortfalls
Governance, management and sustainabilitySignificant shortfalls
Learning, improvement and innovationSignificant shortfalls
Partnerships and communitiesSignificant shortfalls
Shared direction and cultureSignificant shortfalls
Freedom to speak upSome shortfalls
Workforce equality, diversity and inclusionGood
Percentages are CQC scores from its newer way of assessing homes. ?
CQC scored 33 standards: 9 good, 24 below good. Use “See the breakdown” on each key question for its standards. ?
CQC hasn't inspected this home for more than 5 years. It re-inspects based on risk, so an old rating doesn't count against a home on this site, but it may not reflect the home today. ?
Run by Mr K and Mrs K Hunter and Mrs I Coughlin, Higher Bank is a residential care home in Blackburn, Blackburn with Darwen with 22 registered beds. Its CQC registration covers older people.
CQC last rated the home in October 2026, giving it Inadequate overall. It was Inadequate for safe and well-led as well. Effective and caring were rated Requires improvement. For responsive, the rating was Good. That is down from Good in November 2018. Ratings in Blackburn with Darwen are typically about 4 years old, which makes this one newer than most. CQC found significant shortfalls in “delivering evidence-based care and treatment”, one of 24 standards out of 33 scored below good.
Almond Villas, 0.0 km away, is the closest home rated Good. Its kitchen was rated 5 for food hygiene in April 2025. That is true of 77% of homes in Blackburn with Darwen. Across Blackburn with Darwen, 81% of rated homes are Good or Outstanding, against 82% for England.
