• Care Home
  • Care home

Adam House

Overall: Requires improvement read more about inspection ratings

21 Ormerod Rd, Burnley, Lancashire, BB11 2RU

Provided and run by:
Healycare Limited

Important:

We issued a warning notice on Healycare Limited on 05 December 2025 as the provider had failed to ensure appropriate governance and oversight was operated effectively at Adam House.

All Inspections

During an assessment under our new approach

Adam House is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care for up to 6 people living with mental health conditions or people with learning disabilities or autism. We assessed all quality statements under the five key questions of Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. We undertook site visits on the 12, 13 and 17 November 2025. When we visited on the 13 November, this was out of hours.

 

We have assessed the service against ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ guidance to make judgements about whether the provider guaranteed people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted.

 

We found 2 continued breaches of the legal regulations in relation to safe care and treatment and good governance. However, enough improvements had been made since our last inspection in relation to safeguarding and fit and proper person employed, therefore the provider was no longer in breach of regulations in these areas.

 

In instances where CQC have decided to take civil or criminal enforcement action against a provider, we will publish this information on our website after any representations and/ or appeals have been concluded. In relation to some of our concerns, we have asked the provider for an action plan in response to these issues found at this assessment.

 

We found concerns with some elements of people’s risk management records, the environment and medicines, therefore further work was needed to ensure people were kept safe. There was enough staff in place with the right skills, qualifications and experience, but rotas were not always accurate. Managers made sure staff received training but records relating to this needed to be updated. Regular appraisals and supervisions were taking place to promote high-quality care. The registered manager told us they were looking to drive improvement in the areas where we identified concerns.

 

Peoples assessments were not always as detailed as they needed to be. People always had enough to eat and drink. Staff worked with all agencies involved in people’s care for the best outcomes and to support smooth transitions. People’s health was monitored and people understood information about their care and treatment to enable them to give informed consent.

 

People were treated with kindness and compassion. Staff protected people’s privacy and dignity. Staff treated people as individuals and supported their preferences. People had choice in their care and were encouraged to maintain relationships with family and friends. Staff responded to people in a timely way. The service supported staff wellbeing.

 

People were involved in decisions about their care, but records around their care needed to be improved. The service provided information people could understand. People knew how to give feedback. The service was easy to access and worked to eliminate discrimination. People received fair and equal care and treatment. The service worked to reduce health and care inequalities through training and feedback. Work was required to ensure peoples end of life wishes had been considered and recorded.

 

Leaders were visible, and supportive, helping staff develop in their roles, but leaders had not always been able to drive the improvements needed. Governance and oversight needed to be improved. There was not always a culture of continuous improvement as some concerns from our last inspection remained unresolved. Leaders and staff had a shared vision and culture. Staff felt supported to give feedback and were treated equally, free from bullying or harassment. Staff understood their roles and responsibilities. Managers worked with the local community to deliver the best possible care and were receptive to new ideas.

During an assessment under our new approach

Adam House provides accommodation and personal care to people with a learning disability, autistic people and those who require support with their mental health. During our inspection we reviewed elements of the safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led key questions. We undertook on-site visits on 24 and 28 May 2024. We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and independence and good access to local communities. ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ is the guidance the Care Quality Commission (CQC) follows to make judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it.

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission. At the time of our inspection the day to day running of the service was carried out by a manger with oversight from a registered manager.

We identified breaches of the regulations in relation to safe care and treatment, safeguarding, governance, and recruitment.

We found concerns relating to safety of the environment, peoples risk management and medicines management. Incident records were not always fully completed, and referrals had not always been made to the appropriate agencies. Records relating to people’s care were not always detailed or completed consistently, so we could not be confident people’s needs were fully considered or met. Quality assurance and governance systems were not effective. Policies and procedures had not always been followed. Safe recruitment practices had not always been adhered to. Staff showed a clear understanding of people and their needs. We received good feedback from staff in relation to the manager and said they felt confident to speak up about concerns or bad practice.

10 October 2018

During a routine inspection

We carried out an unannounced inspection of Adam House on 10 October 2018.

Adam House is a ‘care home’ which is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six adults with mental ill health. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided and both were looked at during this inspection. Nursing care was not provided.

The service is a large terraced house situated a short distance from Burnley town centre. The aim of the Adam House is to provide a ’Step Up’ service as a part of an individual care package and recovery pathway within the Healycare Ltd. At the time of our inspection one person was using the service.

At the time of the inspection the registered manager had taken planned leave of absence from the service. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run. In the absence of the registered manager the provider had made interim arrangements for the management of the service.

At our last inspection the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found some shortfalls in making sure the facilities and equipment is safe. We have therefore made a recommendation about the management of people’s safety and showing that all appropriate checks had been carried out.

The management and leadership arrangements needed some stability to support the day to day running of the service.

Staff were aware of the signs and indicators of abuse and they knew what to if they had any concerns. Staff had received training on supporting people safely and abuse and protection matters.

Risks to people's individual well-being and promoting independence were being assessed and managed.

Processes were in place to maintain hygiene standards and the areas we saw looked were clean.

Arrangements were in place to gather information on people’s needs, abilities and preferences before they used the service.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. Policies and processes at the service supported this practice.

We found people were effectively supported with their healthcare needs and medical appointments. Changes in people’s health and well-being were monitored and responded to.

People were offered opportunities and encouragement with physical exercise.

There were processes in place to support people with managing their medicines. Staff responsible for supporting people with medicines had completed training. They had been assessed to make sure they were competent in this task.

People were actively involved with planning their own menus, shopping and cooking.

There were enough staff available to provide agreed care and support.

People had a detailed care plans, describing their individual needs and choices. This provided clear guidance for staff on how to provide support.

People’s privacy, individuality and dignity was respected. They were supported with their interests, including activities in the local community.

People had opportunities for skill development and confidence building.

There were processes in place for dealing with complaints. There was a formal procedure to manage, investigate and respond to people’s complaints and concerns.

People could also express concerns or dissatisfaction during their care reviews and during ‘house meetings.’

There were arrangements in place to train and support staff. Some staff were behind with refresher training, but this was being managed.

We found there was a lack of written information to help people make decisions and promote their rights.

3 March 2016

During a routine inspection

The inspection was carried out on 2 and 3 March 2016. The first day of the inspection was unannounced.

Adam House provides accommodation and support for up to six people with mental ill health. The home is a large terraced house situated a short distance from Burnley town centre. There is a lounge and a dining kitchen. There are single and shared bedrooms. There is an enclosed yard to the rear of the home. The aim of Adam House is to provide a ’Step Up’ (progression to greater independence) service as a part of an individual care package and rehabilitation programme.

At the time of the inspection there were no people accommodated at the service. However the facilities were being accessed during the day by one person accommodated at the provider’s neighbouring registered service Healy House. This was as a part of the person’s individual care package and rehabilitation programme. The programme of rehabilitation at the service included scope for people to work towards living in the accommodation independently with minimal support. There was potential for other people accommodated at Healy House to access Adam House in the future; we therefore took some of their views into consideration.

The service was managed by a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

At the last inspection on 6 February 2014 we found the service was not meeting all the standards assessed. The provider had not ensured the premises were suitable and safe. Following the inspection we received an action plan from the provider which told us they would be compliant with the requirements by 13 March 2016. We also received documentary evidence to confirm specific safety checks had been carried out by a qualified contractor. We then carried out a review of the information and found the service was meeting all the standards assessed.

The people we spoke with indicated satisfaction with the care and support they experienced at Adam House. One person said, “It’s okay.”

We found arrangements were in place to help keep people safe and secure. Risks to people’s well-being were being assessed and managed. People using the service had no concerns about the way they were supported. They told us they felt safe at the service, one person said, “Things are fine.”

Staff were aware of the signs and indicators of abuse and they knew what to if they had any concerns. Appropriate character checks had been completed before new staff started working at the service.

Arrangements were in place to maintain appropriate staffing levels. There were systems in place to ensure all staff received regular training and supervision. We found some training was overdue but action had been taken to address this.

Staff responsible for supporting people with medicines had completed training and further training was being arranged. This had included an assessment to make sure they were competent in this task.

The service was working within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. We found people were supported to make their own decisions and choices.

People were supported with their healthcare needs and medical appointments. Changes in people’s health and well-being were monitored and responded to.

People were actively involved with planning, preparing and cooking meals. This meant they could make choices on the meals provided and develop their independence skills.

We received positive comments about the care and support people received from staff. We observed some positive and respectful interactions. A social worker/care coordinator said, “The approaches I have observed from staff to service users have been positive. They have always been engaged with them.” People’s privacy and confidentiality was respected.

There was a focus upon promoting independence and developing skills. There were detailed care records, describing people’s individual needs and choices. This provided clear guidance for staff on how to provide support.

The care planning process identified long and short term goals and learning objectives. This helped to promote people’s independence, skill development and confidence building. People’s well-being and skill development was monitored and reviews of their needs were held regularly.

There were complaints processes in place. There was a formal procedure to manage, investigate and respond to people’s complaints and concerns.

Adam House had a management and leadership team to direct and support the day to day running of the service. We found there were systems to check and monitor the service. There were systems in place to consult with people about their experience of the support provided.

During a check to make sure that the improvements required had been made

What we found about the standards we followed up.

We carried out this inspection to follow up progress on a compliance action identified at our last inspection on 6 February 2014.

The provider sent us an action plan and stated the service would be compliant by 13 March 2014. The provider told us of the action they had taken to rectify the shortfalls we found during the inspection visit. During our review we found the necessary improvements had been made.

6 February 2014

During a routine inspection

At the time of this inspection Adam House had been a dormant service for over two years. This means that although the location had remained registered it was not in use as service. We had been made aware that services had been restarted; therefore we carried a scheduled routine inspection to check that essential standards of quality and safety were being met.

On this inspection we were unable to speak with people who used the service. Their experiences were captured though observation, discussions with staff and looking at records.

Overall we found people experienced care and support which met their needs. However, we found some matters were in need of attention to ensure people were protected against the risks from unsafe or unsuitable premises.

People were being involved as far as possible in making decisions about matters which affected them. They were supported to make choices and develop independent living skills.

People were supported to access resources and activities within the community.

People were getting support with healthcare needs and they had access to on-going support from health care professionals.

We found the staffing arrangements were sufficient in helping to ensure people received effective care and support.

People did not benefit from a suitable legal statement describing the purpose and aims of the service. However, we were told this matter was being dealt with.

19 October 2011

During a routine inspection

At the time of this inspection visit there were no people being accommodated in Adam House. Therefore we were unable to seek peoples' views and evaluate their experience of the service.

However, the standards we looked at showed there were some arrangements in place which would provide people with effective care and support.

Including:

' Involving people in their care, support and daily living activities.

' Promoting independence and respecting people as individuals.

' Finding out about peoples' needs and planning for their care and support.

' Ensuring people are safe and free from abuse.

' Asking people about their experiences and checking the quality of the service.