Care service placed in special measures by watchdog

Lifeways Community Care said it is "addressing" the CQC's findings

A care service for people with learning disabilities and autism has been rated inadequate and placed in special measures after an inspection.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) found staff at Lifeways Community Care Leicestershire County "lacked" training to support people effectively and said management of incidents was "poor".

During the inspection, the CQC identified five breaches of regulations related to safe care and treatment, medicines, safe and effective staffing, safeguarding, and good management.

A spokesperson for Lifeways Community Care said the company "accepts" and is "addressing" the CQC's findings.

According to the watchdog, an inspection of the service, which operates in Leicestershire but not the city of Leicester, was carried out in April due to concerns raised about safe care, treatment and effective management oversight.

By placing Lifeways Community Care in special measures, the CQC said it will be able to carry out "close monitoring" of the service.

The watchdog has also begun the process of taking regulatory action to address concerns, which it said Lifeways Community Care had the right to appeal.

Charlotte Rudge, CQC deputy director of operations in the Midlands, said: "Staff didn't listen to people or act on concerns and sometimes treated people rudely and used an aggressive tone. However, some people were happy with the care they received.

"Staff didn't consider people's emotional and behavioural needs when they identified potential risks, which put them at risk of harm.

"They also didn't help people manage their specific health needs safely, including people with diabetes, epilepsy, stoma care and enteral feeding tubes."

Ms Rudge added leaders could not "provide evidence" to show they had carried out appropriate pre-employment checks and added they have been told where "urgent improvements" are required.

A spokesperson for Lifeways Community Care said: "The CQC's April 2025 inspection highlighted concerns about care quality in Leicestershire. We accept the findings and we are addressing them.

"We've also invested in new technology to improve oversight and will commission an independent audit once changes are embedded to ensure lasting improvement.

"This is part of our £10m 'Outstanding Strategy' to raise standards and deliver high-quality care. Where we fall short, we act decisively to make it right."