CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Royal Court Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, January 2022
Royal Court Care Home was inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong infection-control arrangements, with a brief mask-wearing inconsistency.
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection on 12 January 2022. It followed concerns about infection prevention and control. Inspectors also asked about staffing pressures and their effect on care.
Inspectors found clear visiting guidance, suitable spaces for distancing and self-isolation, safe admissions, regular testing and correct disposal of PPE. The home was clean, hygienic, odour-free and well ventilated.
The provider was assured about most infection-control arrangements. However, two staff briefly wore their masks incorrectly. The service was inspected but not rated, so this report does not give an overall quality rating.
Clear visiting arrangements
Visitors had step-by-step guidance, PPE and alternative ways to keep in touch. Families were regularly updated about changes to government guidance.
“Clear and easily understandable signs were positioned at the main entrance and on internal entrance doors.” from the report
Clean environment
Inspectors found the home clean, hygienic and free from odours. Cleaning schedules were detailed and regularly checked.
“The home looked clean and hygienic and was odour-free.” from the report
Safe admissions
Admissions and readmissions were managed safely, with procedures for self-isolation and distancing.
“Admissions and re-admissions to the home were well-managed.” from the report
Management support
The manager was supported by the provider, and the home had regular infection-control audits and professional guidance.
“The registered manager was well-supported by the provider who undertook frequent visits.” from the report
Masks not always worn correctly
needs fixingInspectors saw two staff wearing their masks incorrectly for a short time. The manager planned a staff meeting and group supervision to address this.
“We witnessed two staff who, for a short period of time, were not wearing their mask appropriately.” from the report
- 01What was covered in the staff meeting and group supervision planned to address incorrect mask wearing?
- 02How do managers now check that staff wear PPE correctly throughout their shifts?
- 03How will visits be arranged if government guidance changes?
- 04How are self-isolation and social distancing managed when someone is admitted or readmitted?
- 05What infection-control audits have been completed since this inspection?
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection of infection prevention and control and staffing pressures; it did not rate the other quality areas. This explanation was written from the published report of 19 January 2022 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
What inspectors found, July 2021
Rated Requires Improvement; inspectors found much kinder and safer care, but risk management and leadership systems were not yet reliable.
This was an unannounced inspection on 8 June 2021. Inspectors spoke with people living in the home, relatives, staff and managers. They reviewed care records, medicines records, staff files and quality checks.
The home had improved significantly since its previous inspection. Inspectors found clean premises, good infection control, enough staff, safe medicines practice and caring relationships. People received personalised care, suitable food, activities and support with healthcare.
There were still important weaknesses. Staff did not always follow risk assessments, which could have increased the risk of avoidable harm. Quality systems had been used effectively for less than six months, so inspectors could not yet be sure that improvements would last.
The overall rating changed from Inadequate to Requires Improvement. Safe and Well-led were Requires Improvement, while Effective, Caring and Responsive were Good. The home was no longer in Special Measures.
Major improvement
Inspectors found a clear improvement from the previous inspection. People and staff described a happier atmosphere and greater confidence in the management team.
“The service had significantly improved since the previous inspection.” from the report
Kind, respectful care
Staff knew people well and supported them with kindness, dignity and respect. Inspectors saw positive relationships and caring conversations.
“People looked comfortable and relaxed in the presence of staff.” from the report
Medicines and infection control
Medicines were managed safely, with staff training and checks in place. Infection control arrangements had improved and the home was using protective equipment safely.
“Medicines were received, stored, administered and disposed of safely.” from the report
Enough trained staff
Inspectors found safe recruitment, enough staff to meet people's needs and suitable training and supervision.
“Sufficient numbers of staff were available to keep people safe.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans recorded people's likes, dislikes and preferences. Staff understood how to support people in line with this information.
“People's likes, dislikes and what was important to the person were recorded in people's care plans.” from the report
Risk instructions not always followed
seriousStaff did not always follow risk assessments. One person was given food identified by a speech and language therapist as high risk, although inspectors found no evidence of harm.
“However, we found risk assessments were not always followed, putting people at risk of harm.” from the report
Leadership systems not embedded
seriousThe new management arrangements and quality checks had not operated for long enough to prove that improvements would continue. This was a continued breach of Regulation 17.
“Despite significant improvements being found, the provider was unable to demonstrate improvements had been sustained over a long enough period to achieve a rating of good.” from the report
Activities needed improvement
needs fixingActivities were available, including group and one-to-one sessions, but recent feedback from relatives and a survey showed that this was still an area needing attention.
“However, a recent survey and feedback from relatives demonstrated activities was an area which required improving.” from the report
- 01How do you now make sure every person's risk assessment is followed in practice, especially instructions about safe food?
- 02What checks are being made to show that the new quality systems and management arrangements are continuing to work?
- 03What actions have you taken in response to feedback that activities needed improvement?
- 04What progress has been made since the inspection towards reaching a Good rating?
- 05When will the next review or re-inspection take place, and can families see the improvement plan?
This was an unannounced follow-up inspection that assessed all five key questions and included infection prevention and control checks; it followed earlier inspections where the home had been Inadequate and in Special Measures. This explanation was written from the published report of 10 July 2021 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
Every inspection of Royal Court Care Home
8 rated inspections over 6 years: the service has improved, from Inadequate to Requires improvement.
- January 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- July 2021Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not ratedWell-led: Inspected but not rated
- December 2020Inadequatedown from Requires improvementSafe: InadequateEffective: InadequateWell-led: Inadequate
- September 2019Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- July 2018Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- March 2017Requires improvementup from InadequateSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- November 2016Inadequatestayed InadequateSafe: InadequateEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Inadequate
- December 2015Inadequatestayed InadequateSafe: InadequateEffective: InadequateCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: InadequateWell-led: Inadequate
- June 2015InadequateSafe: InadequateEffective: InadequateCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Inadequate
- October 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 10 December 2010.
Ratings and report dates from the Care Quality Commission, Open Government Licence v3.0. A home can also be visited without a new rating being published, so the timeline shows published inspections.
Weigh the report against the rest
Fees, photos and reviews from families
How to read CQC ratings and reports
What to check when you visit
At least 99 live-in carers within about an hour of Barnsley
These are self-employed carers on PrimeCarers, the introductory agency that runs this directory. Each has a profile with their own rates and reviews from families, and you choose who to talk to.
Most charge £980 to £1,260 a week. 82 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“Carla has been a god send with the implementation of bringing mum back home from respite care.”
“Ivy was very kind and gentle in all her dealings with my late mother. They got on very well and were able to share a joke and a laugh.”
Every carer has had an enhanced DBS check in the last 18 months, ID and right-to-work checks and an online interview. Their skills and training are for you to check with them. Carers set their own rates, and who is free changes week to week.