Drovers House

Updated 15 April 2026

Date of inspection: 8th to 11th June 2026.

Drovers House is a residential care home for up to 75 people, including younger and older people and people living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 66 people living in the home. The home is set over 3 floors, split into 6 households which each include personalised bathrooms, lounges, kitchenettes and dining areas. This inspection was undertaken as an aged rating, and we reviewed all 5 key questions under our single assessment framework.

We identified 2 breaches of the regulations in relation to safe care and treatment and good governance.

Essential information in people’s care plans was missing, inaccurate or not reflective of their current needs. Care plans did not always identify and mitigate known risks to people. This meant staff did not always have the information required to deliver safe care and people were exposed to ongoing risks such as falls, choking and weight loss. Governance systems had not identified or addressed these issues and audits failed to detect concerns, such as gaps in risk management, environmental safety issues and inconsistent staff practice. Systems intended to monitor quality and safety were not effective, and the provider had not ensured that policies, procedures and care documentation reflected best practice or regulatory expectations. As a result, people remained at risk of avoidable harm.

Despite these failings, there was a positive, caring culture within the home.

Staff consistently described good communication across teams and told us they felt supported and confident in their roles. They spoke with pride about the care they delivered and demonstrated a strong commitment to treating people as individuals. Staff recognised the importance of people’s personal histories, preferences and identities and used this knowledge to build meaningful relationships, however, this was not consistently supported by effective systems to ensure safe or personalised care.

The activities team ensured people had opportunities for engagement that reflected their interests, through community outings, group sessions and personalised activities for those who preferred to spend time in their rooms. Staff described how taking an interest in people helped them feel ‘valued, respected and seen,’ reinforcing a culture of dignity and individuality.

Staff were trained and supported to carry out their roles effectively. They told us they received the training they needed and felt able to approach leaders for guidance. The registered manager was relatively new in post but had worked in the home previously. Staff knew them well and felt confident in their ability to respond to concerns effectively.

We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found during this inspection.

Updated 15 April 2026

While feedback from people and relatives was positive, our assessment identified areas where care was not always safe or consistently managed, which people may not have been aware of. However, people told us staff knew them well, treated them kindly and helped them feel relaxed and at ease. During our visit, people appeared comfortable and happy, and we observed warm interactions between staff and those living in the home. Staff promoted independence and encouraged people to remain as independent as possible, promoting a culture where people were enabled to do things for themselves.

People spoke highly of the environment they lived in. One person told us how much they enjoyed spending time in the café area, saying, “I’m a people watcher, I love it. Some days I sit here and watch things go on and all the staff wave at me as they go past.”

People also described the positive relationships they had developed with staff. One person said, “The staff are kind. They are happy and they respect me. They listen to me.” Another commented, “The staff are good fun. They are caring and they are very polite.”

Relatives were similarly positive about the staff team and the registered manager. They told us they felt confident that people were well cared for and that staff had the skills and time to support people appropriately. Some relatives did express that there were occasions when staffing levels made it more difficult for staff to provide emotional support or stimulation, but overall, they felt people received the care they needed, when they needed it.

People were offered a range of opportunities for engagement and activityand they told us these had a positive impact on their wellbeing and mental health. Staff encouraged people to spend time outdoors, and there was a strong culture of promoting meaningful engagement and building positive relationships between people and staff.