Care provider for adults put in special measures

A provider of personal care for people with learning disabilities and autism has been placed in special measure by inspectors.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated Social Care Solutions Limited (Northampton) as inadequate following an inspection in May.

The CQC found some people in the service's care were at risk of pressure ulcers and staff did not support people to keep their homes safe and well-maintained.

Social Care Solutions Limited said it accepted the findings of the report and was "sorry that these services have fallen below the high-quality standards we expect".

The company provides a supported-living service, assisting people in their homes where they have their own tenancy agreements.

Some of its service users have a physical disability or sensory impairment, the CQC said.

The CQC said the service supported 19 people with personal care across eight supported-living schemes at the time of the inspection.

It previously served a warning notice on the service in May for failing to meet the regulations related to good governance.

The CQC's inspectors found five breaches of regulation related to dignity and respect, safe care and treatment, good management, staffing, and fit and proper persons employed.

It issued a warning notice in relation to good management, and has told the service to submit an action plan showing what action it will be taking in response to these concerns.

Craig Howarth, the CQC deputy director of operations in Northamptonshire, said: "Although people were generally happy with the care they received, we found it wasn't safe and failed to meet expected standards.

"Staff didn't report all incidents, preventing thorough investigations to identify learning opportunities and improvements."

He added the CQC would "monitor the service closely to make sure they improve and keep people safe".

Mike Reader, the Labour MP for Northampton South, said: "This is a shocking failure. Vulnerable people in Northampton have been badly let down by this private sector supplier."

He said the "inadequate" rating was "simply unacceptable".

A spokesperson for Social Care Solutions Limited said: "We have taken swift action to address the concerns raised in the CQC report, including changes in leadership and retraining staff at the service to embed and ensure lasting improvement.

"We are committed to continually improving and, where we fall short, we act decisively to make it right."

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