‘Inadequate’ care home failed to refer abuse allegations to council

A Sheffield care home that failed to refer abuse allegations to the local authority safeguarding team has been rated ‘inadequate’ for the second time in six months.

Carrwood House was placed in special measures in October last year. The latest inspection found the home had failed to make sufficient improvements.

Bosses at the home told the Sheffield Star newspaper that they refuted claims made in the CQC’s report and said they would show through “legal proceedings” that they met the standards required of them.

Before the inspection in April, the CQC was made aware of abuse allegations concerning residents at the home by some members of staff.

The provider had failed to inform the watchdog of the allegations despite it being required to do under registration regulations, the CQC said.

‘Procedures not followed’

Instead, inspectors found the care home had conducted an internal investigation, which resulted in action being taken against some members of staff. However, the CQC found “no evidence” the alleged victims were asked for their version of events nor of any steps being taken to reduce the risk of the same abuse happening again.

The safeguarding incidents had also not been reported to the local authority. Sheffield council only became aware of the allegations through serious incident meetings, which the CQC said was “not the same process as referring directly to the local authority safeguarding team to assess and take appropriate action”.

Inspectors concluded that the service did not fully understand its responsibilities to protect people from abuse. There were also too few staff to meet the needs of residents, and medicines were not always stored safely or administered when they should be.

The care home was rated ‘inadequate’ in four out of the five inspection criteria.

‘Residents let down’

Debbie Westhead, CQC’s deputy chief inspector of adult social care in the North, said it was “a matter of significant concern” that Carrwood House had let down the people in its care.

“We have been working with Sheffield council and Sheffield Clinical Commissioning Group to ensure that people living at the home are not placed at risk.

“We will continue to monitor this care home if not enough improvement is made we will not hesitate to take further enforcement action.”

A spokesman for Carrwood House told The Star newspaper: “We do not agree with the CQC’s findings. In the legal proceedings, we will clearly demonstrate that we are a professional organisation who at all times provide care to all our residents and safeguard them from harm, which meets the standards that are required from us.

“All our staff are dedicated professionals providing care of a very high standard.”