Welcome House - The Chestnuts
Welcome House - The Chestnuts is a residential care home in Rochester, Medway (ME1 1RX). It holds a CQC rating of Inadequate.
About Welcome House - The Chestnuts
The Chestnuts is one of the homes in the Welcome House family, and we are based in Rochester in Medway. We provide residential care for adults who live with a mental health condition, both for people who make their home with us and for those who come to us for a planned respite stay. We know that people arrive at a place like this for very different reasons and at very different points in their lives. Some have spent years in hospital settings and need time, patience and a settled routine before they feel able to do much for themselves again. Others are largely independent and simply need a stable base, staff on hand when things get difficult, and a bit of structure to the week. Our job is to work out which is which, and to keep asking, because people change. We put a lot of weight on the ordinary business of living. That means being involved in decisions about the house, having a say in meals, managing your own money where you can, keeping up with appointments, and staying in touch with the people who matter to you. We support people to take their medication, we notice early when somebody is becoming unwell, and we work alongside community mental health teams and local health professionals rather than in isolation. If you are a professional making a referral, or a family member trying to find the right place for someone in Medway, please get in touch and come and see the house for yourself.
Care provided at Welcome House - The Chestnuts
- Mental health care
- Respite care
- Last CQC inspection: 25 September 2025
Read the full inspection report on the CQC website.
Common questions about Welcome House - The Chestnuts
Where is Welcome House - The Chestnuts located?
Welcome House - The Chestnuts is a residential care home in Rochester, Medway, ME1 1RX. You can view its exact location and get directions from the map on this page.
What type of care does Welcome House - The Chestnuts provide?
Welcome House - The Chestnuts is registered to provide residential personal care, with support that includes Mental health care, Respite care. The full list of services is shown on this page.
What is Welcome House - The Chestnuts's CQC rating?
Welcome House - The Chestnuts is registered with and inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Its most recent overall rating is Inadequate following its last inspection on 25 September 2025. You can read the full CQC report from the link on this page.
Does Welcome House - The Chestnuts offer respite or short-term care?
Yes. Welcome House - The Chestnuts offers respite and short-term care. Availability changes regularly, so it is best to enquire directly.
Questions families ask about Welcome House - The Chestnuts
Can Mum or Dad stay here if their dementia gets worse?
No. Welcome House - The Chestnuts 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. Welcome House - The Chestnuts 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. Welcome House - The Chestnuts 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?
Ask the home. The register does not say which age groups the home supports. Ask the home.
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
Welcome House - The Chestnuts 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 Welcome House - The Chestnuts. Actual fees depend on the room, the level of care and how it is funded.
More about the care at Welcome House - The Chestnuts
Respite Care at Welcome House - The Chestnuts
Short stays normally need booking ahead and a minimum of one or two weeks, with labelled clothing and medication in its original packaging. A respite stay can serve as a trial before any permanent decision, and that cuts both ways, since it may equally show a home is not right. Before booking at The Chestnuts, read the most recent inspection report and discuss the findings with whoever manages the home.
Residential Care at Welcome House - The Chestnuts
Residential care means support with everyday living rather than medical treatment: meals, laundry, help with personal care, and some structure to the day. The Chestnuts in Rochester was rated inadequate by the Care Quality Commission at its inspection in September 2025, the lowest of the four possible judgements. Anyone considering the home should read that report in full first, since it sets out exactly which areas fell short and what the provider was told to put right. It is fair to ask what has changed since, who manages the home now, whether the council is still placing people there, and when a further inspection is expected. Weekly fees across the South East commonly run from £1100 to £1450, while Medway pays roughly £800 to £950 for placements it funds.
Mental Health at Welcome House - The Chestnuts
Adults living with a mental health condition need stability, privacy and a genuine say in their own care, and a residential setting should supply all three. The Chestnuts is registered for mental health support alongside residential care. Given the current inadequate rating, ask specifically how staff are trained and supervised, what happens when somebody becomes acutely unwell, and what the improvement plan commits to.
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