AN 'inadequate' care home was found to be punishing its residents for breaking house rules by confiscating items like their kettles, radios and TVs and in one case their money.

Rookwood Residential Care Home was judged inadequate and has been placed in special measures.

An unannounced inspection found seven of the 16 residents had a section in their care plans titled 'consequences'.

The care home in Walmersley Road, Bury, provides support and personal care for people with mental health needs.

The report says: "We found the provider adopted this method of issuing consequences when people

had not followed the rules within the home.

"This meant people would have their personal items removed such as their televisions, kettle, radio, money and cigarettes for a short period of time.

"The home was not equipped to manage behaviours that challenge others in a safe and person centred way and issued the consequences as a punishment."

The inspectors also found one case of care home staff preventing a resident's access to their money as a consequence of inappropriate actions like telling lies.

The report says: "This person's consequences was to have their money withheld meaning they could not access the local community."

In the report staff are quoted as saying: "I hate having to take people's televisions away, but this is what we have been told to do by the manager."

The manager told inspectors the consequences were introduced years ago based on advice given at the time.

Since the inspection the care home no longer issues consequences.

Staff at Rookwood were found to be lacking training in learning disabilities awareness, challenging behaviours and mental health awareness.

The lack of support and coaching staff received was reflected in the care they provided.

The inspection also noted the lack of a risk assessment in relation to legionella and radiators were so hot that they were thought to be a risk to residents.

Since the inspection these issues have been addressed.

The care home's activities were found to be limited and residents complained about a lack of variety on the menu.

However, the CQC inspectors found residents were 'positive and complimentary about the service they received' and felt 'safe and cared for'.

Collette Richmond, manager at the care home said: "We have put in place and are putting in place the majority of the things we have been asked to do.

"We were inspected in 2015 and nothing has changed since then.

"I want to get my 'good' rating back which hopefully they will be doing when they come back.

"We have done practically everything they asked within a couple of weeks and the girls have started their training."

Mrs Richmond clarified that practices, including the consequences, at the home were the same in 2015 as when they were inspected in December 2017. She added: "That was done as a deterrent not a punishment."

A spokesperson for Bury Council said: “The safety of vulnerable people in Bury is of paramount importance to us.

“When the CQC informed us of their concerns regarding the operation of Rookwood, we visited the home and received assurances that the necessary improvements have been made.

"The ‘consequences’ regime, which was completely inappropriate, has now been removed from care plans; training with respect to dealing with challenging behaviour has been sourced for staff; there is now an activities schedule in place; and risk assessments on radiators have been undertaken and where required covers fitted.

“We are revisiting the home this week to ensure that all remedial actions needed have been carried out fully.”