CQC Reports for Barnsley Care Homes - 21st July 2025

Rated: Requires improvement

Report published: 23 July 2025

Date of Assessment: 29 May 2025

Current View of Service

Kexborough House is a residential home, providing accommodation and personal care to older adults with a range of support needs, including those living with dementia. The home can accommodate up to 22 people. At the time of our assessment, 13 people were living at the service. We carried out a comprehensive assessment of the service covering all quality statements, in all key questions. At this assessment, we found areas of concern in relation to the management of medicines. Our findings showed that people were put at risk of harm because medicines on occasion, had not been managed safely. We also found some environmental concerns, such as radiators in communal areas without coverings and some windows on the top floors without restrictors and due to their age, were not robust. The banister height at the service was assessed and it measured below the minimum requirement for safety. However, the service actioned this risk immediately. People’s care plans detailed people’s preferences and staff knew people well. However, we found that some areas of record keeping required improvement in relation to risk assessments and behaviour monitoring. The provider, as a result was in breach of regulation 12, safe care and treatment. Additionally, we found that systems and processes were not robust in relation to medicines, care plans and environmental audits. This effected the services ability to correctly assess, monitor, and improve the quality and safety of care in which people received. The service was therefore, in also in breach of regulation 17, good governance. The provider was extremely responsive in actioning the concerns we had identified and as a result, evidenced to Inspectors their plans to ensure medications and the environment are safer for people residing at the service, including plans to strengthen their auditing systems. The service had a friendly atmosphere, and staff were observed to be caring and knew people’s needs well. People told us they felt safe and well-cared for at the service. There were enough staff, with the right skills and knowledge in place, to support people safely. The staff told us they enjoyed working at the service and that it fostered a positive work culture. One staff member told us, “Caring for the residents here is the best bit of my job. All the staff I work with are nice, we’re like one big family."

People's experience of the Service

People were positive about the quality of their care at Kexborough House Care Home. One person told us, “I’ve been here 2 years, it’s nice, no complaints. Staff are very nice, and they always do what we ask and sort any problems we have.” A relative said, “I find all [staff] friendly and chatty; they are always respectful when they speak to people and are so kind and gentle.” Professionals told us staff were kind and caring, “Staff are very caring and have a good rapport with visitors, be it family or other professionals.” People were offered choice and independence, and activities were available every day. One person told us, “We have snakes and ladders, bingo, sing songs and play your cards right. I enjoy them. We go out on to the patio too. We had a tea for VE day. A chapel choir came, and we sang along. ”People and relatives felt confident in approaching managers with any concerns and felt action would be taken as a result. One relative told us, “The manager is good. They drop everything to help, I think a lot of them and if I had a problem, I know it would be solved.” People were happy with the quality of the food provided. One person told us, “The food is very good; plenty of variety, plenty of fresh veg and as much as you want. ”People told us that they had good access to medical professionals when needed. One person told us, “They would always get a doctor if I needed one. ”We also received feedback from relatives about the service environment. One family member told us, “I complained to the management that they don’t spend money. The room has not been decorated and the light over the bed doesn’t work.”