Care provider once rated outstanding now inadequate

A care provider supporting adults with physical and learning disabilities has been downgraded from outstanding to inadequate by a watchdog.

Dedicated Care East Anglia, which supports adults in King's Lynn, Norfolk, was inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in August following potential concerns around the care and support people received.

The CQC found the provider to be in breach of five legal regulations and the facility was placed in special measures.

A spokesperson for Dedicated Care East Anglia said it was "deeply disappointed" and the rating did not "reflect the positive feedback" it has received from service users and their families.

At the time of the inspection four people were receiving domiciliary care and 30 were in supported living.

Inspectors found numerous issues with staff including them not actively following policies and procedures, failing to raise safeguarding concerns and using equipment to support people when it was known to be faulty.

The regulator found leaders did not always ensure medicines and treatments were safe and did not make sure staff were qualified and experienced.

However, staff supported people to live in clean environments and people and their families were largely happy with the care provided.

Hazel Roberts, the deputy director of adult social care for the East of England, said leaders were not "adequately assessing" people's needs and whether staff had the right skills to keep people safe and cared for.

She said the watchdog was concerned that leaders did not listen to concerns regarding people's safety and due to not all incidents being investigated or reported there were no lessons learned.

She said: "We have been clear with leaders about what rapid and widespread improvements we expect to see and will monitor the service closely to make sure people are safe while that happens.

"We have also imposed conditions on Dedicated Care East Anglia Limited for failing to meet regulations and to protect people at the service."

The CQC has begun the process of taking further regulatory action to address the concerns.

A spokesperson for Dedicated Care East Anglia said it believed the report contained some "inaccuracies".

It said: "That said, we have fully taken on board the comments and recommendations for action and improvements made by CQC.

"The management team, with the support of all our dedicated staff, has put in place a plan of action for continuous improvement which we are determined will secure a 'Outstanding' rating again at the next inspection as a matter of urgency.

"We continue to be committed to providing the very best care," it said.

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