Inspectors found that residents at a care home were put at risk.

Inspectors have identified that a care facility supporting adults with autism and learning disabilities exposed residents to unnecessary risks. Kingswood House, located in Thurcroft, Rotherham, received an inadequate rating in its initial Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection conducted in October.

The home has now been placed under special measures, meaning it will be closely monitored to ensure residents safety while necessary improvements are implemented.

Elysium Healthcare, the operator of Kingswood House, expressed disappointment over the rating, emphasizing that resident safety and wellbeing remain their "top priority".

The CQC report highlighted that the leadership team lacked the essential skills, experience, and credibility to manage the home effectively, resulting in residents not always receiving appropriate care. Residents needs and associated risks were not properly assessed, which put them at potential risk of harm.

Feedback from residents and their families was largely negative. Comments included concerns about the environment, describing it as "like a hospital" with beds resembling "prison mattresses" and rooms that were "not homely". Families also noted that residents who enjoyed preparing meals had limited opportunities to do so, with insufficient encouragement from staff.

Concerns were raised regarding the quality of food, described as unappealing and overly carbohydrate-heavy, with menus not reflecting the preferences of younger residents.

Victoria Marsden, CQC Deputy Director of Operations for the North, mentioned that staff disorganization frequently caused residents to miss essential appointments. Relatives reported that even when appointments were attended, important documents were sometimes forgotten by staff.

In response, Elysium Healthcare confirmed that the service has undergone leadership changes and implemented an improvement plan focusing on management upgrades and better record-keeping. A spokesperson stated, "We will be working closely with the CQC in the coming weeks and months to evidence these improvements."

Author: Sophia Brooks