GoogleA care home for people with learning disabilities has been placed in special measures following an inspection by a watchdog.
Investigators at the Care Quality Commission (CQC) found the care offered at Clubworthy House, Cornwall, was inadequate after the inspection in October.
In a report investigators found leaders at the home had “allowed a closed culture to develop where people weren’t treated with dignity and respect”, and investigators heard allegations people living at the home were subjected to screaming and shouting.
Nos Nom, the operator of Clubworthy House since 2008, said it “strongly rejected” the CQC’s findings and raised concerns about the process used to produce the report.
The CQC said it carried out the inspection in response to concerns about people’s safety and the outcomes of their care.
Two people were living at the home at the time of the inspection, the watchdog said.
It said inspectors found care, which was rated outstanding, had deteriorated since the last inspection, and the home was in breach of four regulations relating to safeguarding, staffing, person-centred care and good management.
Stefan Kallee, CQC deputy director of operations in Devon, said the inspection found leaders “had allowed a closed culture to develop where people weren’t treated with dignity and respect”.
“We heard multiple serious allegations that one of the leaders had screamed in people’s faces and used swear words aggressively towards them,” he said.
“Staff told us they’d witnessed these incidents but didn’t feel able to challenge the leader’s approach.
“Despite having appropriate policies, the home failed to report or independently investigate these allegations of abuse.”
‘Basic rights’
Mr Kallee also said staff had told inspectors meals were planned in advance “with limited flexibility for individual choice”.
“We expect health and social care services to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the safety, choices, dignity and independence most people take for granted,” he said.
“It was unacceptable that leaders were allowing a culture to exist where people weren’t being given these basic rights.
“CQC is monitoring the home closely to keep people safe while improvements are made and is taking further regulatory action.”
Appeal planned
A Nos Nom spokesperson said the report relied heavily on allegations made by a small number of former staff members, “while positive feedback from current employees has been omitted”.
The firm indicated it planned to appeal the report through a formal tribunal process.
A spokesperson said: “All staff receive annual safeguarding training, with safeguarding discussed monthly during supervision or team meetings.
“No allegations of inappropriate behaviour, or allegations of screaming in people’s faces or the aggressive use of swear words were raised prior to inspection, which is why they had not been investigated.”
Clubworthy House said it continued to operate under CQC guidelines and “remained committed to supporting autistic adults with meaningful activities and planned outings until the tribunal reaches its final decision”.
