Riverlea House
Riverlea House is a residential care home in Dover, Kent (CT17 0QY). It holds a CQC rating of Good.
About Riverlea House
Riverlea House is a residential care home in Dover, Kent, offering a settled and comfortable home for older people who can no longer manage easily on their own. We are not a large place, and that shapes how it feels. Staff know everybody who lives here, and they know the things that do not appear on a care plan: who likes to be up early, who would rather have breakfast in their room, who wants the paper and who wants the company. Care is given quietly and with respect for privacy, and people are supported to do what they can for themselves rather than having it done for them. The day here is not run to a timetable for our convenience. People choose how to spend it, whether that means joining in with what is going on, sitting somewhere comfortable with a book, seeing visitors, or getting out and about. Families are welcome at any reasonable hour and we would much rather they felt able to drop in. We also offer respite stays, which suit people recovering after a hospital admission and families who care at home and need a planned break. A respite guest is treated exactly as a permanent resident is. Our most recent overall rating from the Care Quality Commission is good. If you are looking at homes in the Dover area, come and see us and judge the place for yourself.
Care provided at Riverlea House
- Older person care
- Respite care
- Last CQC inspection: 22 October 2019
Read the full inspection report on the CQC website.
What the inspectors found
A plain English summary of the Care Quality Commission inspection behind the current rating of Riverlea House. Report published 22 October 2019.
- 23 September 2019
- 44 places, 40 people were using the service at the time
Safe
Inspectors found that people felt safe and at home. People were protected from the risk of harm and abuse. Concerns raised by people or staff were listened to and acted on. Medicines were managed safely, and there were enough staff who had been recruited safely.
Effective
Inspectors found that staff supported people to stay healthy and offered a balanced diet that met their needs. Staff had the skills they needed and were supported by the management team. People were supported to have choice and control, and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible.
Caring
Inspectors found that people were treated with dignity and respect. Their lifestyle and equality needs and choices were understood and respected. People had privacy.
Responsive
Inspectors found that people had planned their care with staff and were supported to keep their routines. They took part in a range of activities they enjoyed. People had been offered the chance to share their end of life preferences, and these had been followed.
Well-led
Inspectors found that the provider and registered manager had oversight of the service. They carried out regular checks on the quality of care. People and staff were asked for their views, and these were listened to and acted on. The registered manager understood their legal responsibilities.
Since the last inspection
Rated Good in October 2019, the same overall rating as before (Good).
Safe is still Good; Effective is still Good; Caring is still Good; Responsive is still Good; Well-led is still Good.
- 4 February 2022: Inspection looking at part of the service
- 22 October 2019: Routine inspection, rated Good. This inspection gave the current rating.
- 20 January 2017: Routine inspection, rated Good
- 6 February 2014: Routine inspection
- 22 October 2012: Themed inspection looking at
Read the full report on the CQC website
Source: Care Quality Commission inspection report, summarised by CareAssura. Contains CQC data used under the Open Government Licence.
How Riverlea House compares in Dover
Measured against the 39 care homes for older people registered in Dover. The dark dot is this home.
- Size
- 44 places. Larger than 31 of the 39 homes. The local average is 29 places.
- CQC rating
- Good. 25 of the 39 homes (64%) are rated Good or Outstanding. Across Kent the figure is 68%.
- Latest report
- 22 October 2019. 32 of the 39 homes have published a newer inspection report since.
- Registered
- June 2012. 19 of the 39 homes registered more recently.
- Food hygiene
- 5 out of 5. The top rating, shared by 25 of the 33 homes that have one.
Powered by Orrery Intelligence. Data: CQC register and Food Standards Agency ratings. Counts cover registered care homes for older people in Dover.
The local picture: Dover
What the numbers say about care for older people in Dover, in Kent.
What care costs in Kent, per week
| Type of care | What the council pays | What self-funders are typically asked |
|---|
| Residential care | £1,187 | £1,409 to £1,600 (Middle half of prices from 22 Kent homes. Median £1,500.) |
| Nursing care | £1,378 | £1,550 to £1,865 (Middle half of prices from 11 Kent homes. Median £1,605.) |
| Residential dementia care | Not published separately | £1,500 to £1,619 (Middle half of prices from 18 Kent homes. Median £1,500.) |
| Nursing dementia care | Not published separately | £1,975 to £2,226 (South East figure, because too few Kent homes publish this price. 37 homes. Median £2,050.) |
Published prices are often starting prices, and come from homes that publish fees, so treat them as a guide. Ask the home for its own price.
- People aged 75 and over: 15,300. Rising to 18,000 by 2035, up 18%
- People aged 85 and over: 3,800. Rising to 5,800 by 2035, up 53%
- Living with dementia, aged 65 and over (estimate): 2,000. Rising to 2,500 by 2035, up 27%
- Dementia diagnosis rate: 59%. The NHS ambition is 67%. Kent as a whole is 62%.
- Care home beds per 1,000 people aged 75+: 75. Kent average is 77.
- Care homes, last 12 months: 0 opened, 1 closed. 1 changed owner, covering 21 beds.
- Care home beds filled across Kent: 88%. The 12 month average is 88%.
- Who pays, across Kent (estimate): 35% council, 43% self. The rest is NHS funded or other.
Powered by Orrery Intelligence. Market model built 22 October 2026 (ONS 2022 based population projections, dementia estimates, CQC register), published care home prices, council planning records.
Good to know about Riverlea House
Facts from public registers, and what is close by.
- Registered with CQC
- 6 June 2012, so 14 years.
- Food hygiene rating
- 5 out of 5. Very good. Last inspected by the local council on 7 January 2026.
- Run by
- Riverlea Care Limited, which runs this service only.
Sources: CQC register, Food Standards Agency, OpenStreetMap contributors. Distances are in a straight line from the postcode, not walking or driving routes.
Local services near Riverlea House
The closest places to this home, measured in a straight line from its postcode. They are the nearest, not necessarily the ones the home uses. Ask the home which GP, dentist and pharmacy its residents are registered with.
Nearest 24 hour A&E
- William Harvey Hospital, Ashford, 15.7 miles away
It is about 15.7 miles in a straight line from the postcode. The drive is usually longer. In an emergency call 999; the ambulance may take you elsewhere.
Nearest GP practices
Nearest dentists
Nearest pharmacies
Nearest railway stations
- Kearsney Station, 0.4 miles away
- Dover Priory Station, 1.7 miles away
- Martin Mill Station, 3.5 miles away
Around Riverlea House
- H: Riverlea House
- A: 24 hour A&E
- G: GP practice
- D: Dentist
- P: Pharmacy
- S: Railway station
Straight line distances, not routes. Places very close to the home are spread out slightly so they can be told apart.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Practice and pharmacy details from the NHS England Organisation Data Service. A&E sites from NHS England A&E data and the Organisation Data Service. Railway stations from the Department for Transport NaPTAN dataset. Distances are straight line and approximate.
Common questions about Riverlea House
Where is Riverlea House located?
Riverlea House is a residential care home in Dover, Kent, CT17 0QY. You can view its exact location and get directions from the map on this page.
What type of care does Riverlea House provide?
Riverlea House is registered to provide residential personal care, with support that includes Older person care, Respite care. The full list of services is shown on this page.
What is Riverlea House's CQC rating?
Riverlea House is registered with and inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Its most recent overall rating is Good following its last inspection on 22 October 2019. You can read the full CQC report from the link on this page.
Does Riverlea House offer respite or short-term care?
Yes. Riverlea House offers respite and short-term care. Availability changes regularly, so it is best to enquire directly.
Questions families ask about Riverlea House
Can Mum or Dad stay here if their dementia gets worse?
No. Riverlea House is not listed for dementia care on the CQC register. If dementia is likely, choose a home that is, so a second move is not needed later.
Is there a nurse on site if health needs change?
No. Riverlea House is a residential care home without on-site nursing. District nurses and GPs visit, but someone who needs daily nursing may have to move to a nursing home.
Can they try a short stay before deciding?
Yes. Yes. Riverlea House offers respite and short stays, which is a good way to see whether the home is the right fit.
Will they support end of life care, so there is no move at the hardest time?
Ask the home. End of life care is not listed on the register. Ask the manager whether residents can remain in the home with hospice or district nurse support.
Can she bring her cat or dog?
Ask the home. The home has not told us its pet policy yet. Ask directly; some homes allow small pets in residents' rooms or welcome visiting dogs.
Can a couple stay together?
Ask the home. We do not know whether the home has rooms for couples. Ask about shared or adjoining rooms if this matters.
Will the council help pay, or is it self funded only?
Ask the home. The home has not told us which funding it accepts. Most homes take both council funded and self funded residents; ask about council rates and any top up.
Do they take younger adults as well as older people?
No. Riverlea House is registered for older people. Younger adults are not listed.
Can I visit before deciding, and are there visiting hours?
Ask the home. Every home should welcome a visit. Call to arrange one, ideally at a mealtime or during an activity, and ask about visiting hours for family.
Typical weekly fees in the South East
Riverlea House has not published its fees yet. These are typical weekly fees for the South East, so you know roughly what to expect before you call.
- Residential care: £1,100 to £1,450 per week per person, typical range
Indicative figures for the South East, not a quote from Riverlea House. Actual fees depend on the room, the level of care and how it is funded.
Explore more
More care homes in Dover
Browse all care homes in Dover.