CQC rates supported living care agency inadequate

The agency was supporting 11 people who live on their own in supported living bungalows at the time of the inspection

A care agency has been put into special measures after "multiple serious concerns" were raised with a watchdog.

My Life Choice, based in Colchester, Essex, provides support to 11 people with learning disabilities and autistic people who live on their own in supported living bungalows.

Relatives told Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspectors "about allegations of physical and verbal abuse made by people against the staff supporting them".

The CQC, which was called in after an incident when someone died, rated the agency inadequate.

"Whilst some observations and feedback demonstrated positive interactions between people and staff, multiple serious concerns were shared by people's relatives about the safety and quality of the care provided," according to the CQC report.

Unexplained bruising

Inspectors spoke to people, visiting some in their homes, and their relatives in an attempt to understand their experiences of care.

They said relatives gave examples of unexplained bruising and said they did not feel safeguarding concerns were addressed appropriately by My Life Choice.

They heard some people did not feel safe; staff were not always caring and respectful when providing care; and the provider did not not always listen to their concerns or communicate effectively.

People were not protected from the risk of harm and abuse; the agency did not have safe processes in place to respond to concerns and allegations of abuse; and incidents were not promptly investigated, inspectors added.

The watchdog also criticised My Life Choice for not providing "person-centred" care and not treating people with dignity and respect at all times.

It did not examine the circumstances of the incident in which someone had died because that is subject to a further CQC report.

But it did find breaches of legal regulations in relation to safe care and treatment, safeguarding, consent for care, person-centred care, dignity and respect and good governance.