Peterborough care agency inspected over abuse allegation

The CQC said An Darach Care in Peterborough "failed to ensure people received a well-managed service"

An abuse allegation, expired medicine being used and a lack of skilled staff were among the issues reported at a care agency by inspectors.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has rated An Darach Care, which supports younger adults with learning disabilities, as requires improvement.

Daily care records showed "a person was sent to their room and told to stop whining", a report said.

An Darach said people's welfare was the "highest priority".

'Kicking off'

At the time of the inspection days in June, July and August, 18 adults under the age of 65 were using four supported living houses and two single occupancy annexes.

The inspection was prompted following an "allegation of abuse" involving a person using the service and a member of staff. The incident is subject to further CQC investigation.

The report, published on Monday, said there were "breaches in relation to safe care, treatment and good governance".

Care was not always provided in a dignified manner which had the potential to compromise people's human rights, inspectors said.

Daily care records showed one person was sent to their bedroom and told to "stop whining" and another concern form described a person as "beginning to kick off", the CQC said.

"The use of this language did not demonstrate staff have the appropriate understanding and knowledge," the report added.

An Darach Care was inspected following a "serious safeguarding incident"

Inspectors said staff did not always "effectively provide support to people that needed to take their medicines safely" and said an expired medicine was administered on eight occasions.

The CQC concluded: "The provider had failed to ensure people received a well-managed service which was safe and compassionate, placing people at risk of potential harm."

However, the report noted: "The care and support we observed during our inspection was positive and people appeared to like the staff who were supporting them."

Adam Henderson, managing director at An Darach Care, said in response: "Welfare of the people is our highest priority.

"We continue to work with the CQC and stakeholders to ensure all actions and learnings are implemented."

The care provider was rated as good in its last CQC inspection in 2021.