CSCI closes Acorn Lodge care home, Leics, as police make arrests

The Commission for Social Care Inspection has acted to close Leicestershire care home Acorn Lodge, Market Harborough, after finding that the welfare and safety of its older residents were at serious risk.

The news comes with a police investigation already underway into alleged ill-treatment and wilful neglect at the home.

Leicestershire Police has arrested two women, aged 40 and 25, who are on police bail pending further enquiries.
The CSCI secured a court order last Friday to cancel the registration of Acorn Lodge.

Although the home can stay open pending any appeal to the first-tier tribunal (care standards) – formerly the Care Standards Tribunal – the remaining 12 residents were moved to alternative accommodation by Leicestershire Council on Friday.

The CSCI’s eastern region director, Norwyn Cole, said a scheduled inspection in September found “shortcomings” in care standards at the home. After receiving information from the police, inspectors carried out an unannounced visit in early November.

“Inspectors found that standards had deteriorated further, and they had serious concerns about the threat this posed to the safety and welfare of the residents,” Cole said.
Subsequent visits last month found the situation had not improved leading CSCI to seek an urgent cancellation order.

Cole said the CSCI, the council and the police were continuing to work together under multi-agency adult protection procedures.

Detective Inspector Dave Richardson, of Leicestershire Police, said: “Our investigations into alleged ill-treatment and wilful neglect are continuing. We take allegations of this nature extremely seriously.”
 
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More information
 
CSCI information on Acorn Lodge