Home care provider placed in special measures

The Northampton agency provides personal care at home to adults with learning disabilities and elderly people

A service that provides personal care for people in their own homes has been put into special measures by a health regulator.

Because We Care Northampton has been rated as inadequate by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following an inspection in June.

Inspectors were concerned about the safe dispensing of medication and proper checks being carried out when recruiting staff.

The agency said it was "deeply disappointed" by the report and had appointed an external firm to review its policies and procedures.

Because We Care Northampton gives care to adults with learning disabilities and elderly people.

The CQC said it inspected the personal care service provided to seven people, under the terms of its registered activity, although the company also supported other clients not in need of such close support.

It downgraded the provider from "requires improvement" after inspectors found five breaches of regulations connected to safe care and treatment, safeguarding, staff recruitment, medicines management and consent.

The health watchdog said the special measures status meant the service would be kept under close review to keep people safe while improvements were made.

'Lack of oversight'

Cat Eglinton, CQC deputy operations director, said it was "disappointing" the quality of care had declined since its last visit.

"A lack of oversight from senior leaders was behind most of the problems we saw, meaning they were unable to identify problems and improve the safety and effectiveness of care," she said.

"We have told leaders at Because We Care Northampton where urgent improvements are needed."

'Dedicated' staff

In a statement, Because We Care Northampton said it was pleased the CQC had noted relatives were pleased with their loved ones' care and the service had "fully taken on board" comments in the report.

"We have a dedicated team committed to delivering the best possible care and the rating given does not, we believe, reflect the positive feedback we receive from our service users and their families," it said.

It added it had "a plan of action for continuous improvement" to "take the service out of special measures and secure a 'good' rating again at the next inspection".