Rockley Dene Residential

Updated 15 June 2022

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection team was made of two inspectors and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Rockley Dene Residential is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Rockley Dene is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections.

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority, clinical commissioning group and Healthwatch, Barnsley. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with ten people who lived at Rockley Dene and three of their relatives about their experience of the care provided. We met with the registered manager and nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider. We spoke with seven members of staff and one visiting health professional.

We observed daily life in the service. We looked around the building to check environmental safety and cleanliness. We looked at written records, which included four people’s care records and four staff files. A variety of records relating to the management of the service were also reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. This included reviewing the provider’s audits.

Updated 15 June 2022

About the service

Rockley Dene Residential is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care for up to 35 people, some of whom are living with dementia. At the time of the inspection there were 27 people living at Rockley Dene Residential.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

Effective governance and quality assurance systems were not in place. These would have picked up on the issues we found at this inspection with regard to medicine stock checks, conflicting information in people’s care records, and incomplete recruitment histories. The design, decoration and upkeep of the premises did not safely meet people’s needs. The premises required significant redecoration and refurbishment. We have made a recommendation regarding improving the frequency and variety of activities available to people.

People told us they felt safe living at Rockley Dene. Staff understood what it meant to protect people from abuse. They told us they were confident any concerns they raised would be taken seriously by managers. There were enough staff employed to meet people’s care and support needs in a timely manner. Safe procedures were in place to make sure people received their medicines as prescribed.

Staff were provided with relevant training to make sure they had the right skills and knowledge for their role. Staff were supported in their jobs. Staff understood the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People told us they enjoyed the food served at Rockley Dene, which we saw took into account their dietary needs and preferences. People were supported to access relevant health and social care professionals to ensure they were getting the care and support they needed. Positive, caring and supportive relationships had been developed between people and staff. People were treated with dignity and respect.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 13 January 2020). The provider completed an action plan after this inspection to show what they do and by when to improve.

This service was inspected again on 3 September 2020. This was a targeted inspection to check whether the service remained in breach of regulations and because of concerns CQC had about risk assessments, staffing levels, staff training and consent. Targeted inspections do not look at an entire key question, only the part of the key question we are specifically concerned about. Targeted inspections do not change the rating from the previous inspection.

At this inspection we found the provider remained in breach of regulations. The service remains rated requires improvement. This service has been rated requires improvement for the last two consecutive inspections. Prior to this the service was rated inadequate for two consecutive inspections.

Why we inspected

The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about the provider’s nursing home on the same site. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Rockley Dene Residential on our website at www.cqc.org.uk

Enforcement and Recommendations

We are mindful of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our regulatory function. This meant we took account of the exceptional circumstances arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic when considering what enforcement action was necessary and proportionate to keep people safe as a result of this inspection. We will continue to monitor the service and will take further action if needed.

We have identified breaches in relation to governance and the premises.

Full information about CQC’s regulatory response to the more serious concerns found during inspections is added to reports after any representations and appeals have been concluded.

Follow up

We will meet with the provider following this report being published to discuss how they will make changes to ensure they improve their rating to at least good. We will work with the local authority to monitor progress. We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.