People were harmed and sometimes subjected to “excessive” force at a care home rated “inadequate” by inspectors.
Staff at The Hall, in Hamstreet, near Ashford in Kent, “unlawfully restrained” residents with autism and learning disabilities and did not use de-escalation, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) found.
The Hall, in Kent, where support workers have “unlawfully restrained” autistic and learning-disabled residents. Image: Google
Workers lacked ‘competence and skill’
Workers at the residential care home lacked the “competence and skill” to support people positively. The watchdog also identified “widespread” and “multiple” concerns.
One resident had unexplained bruising on their arm. No one had reported it to a social worker or family members.
Another relative told inspectors there was unexplained bruising on their family member too.
Nine incidents of abuse
The CQC highlighted nine incidents of abuse by workers. These included unlawful restraints and incidents between people and involving staff.
The Hall is registered to care for children and adults and can accommodate a maximum of 10 people.
‘Chaotic environment’
Natalie Reed is the CQC’s deputy director of operations for the south.
She described the home run by care company Nexus Programme as a “chaotic environment” where “frequent” incidents occurred.
Reed added: “We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and access to local communities that most people take for granted.
“We expect to see rapid and widespread improvements and will continue to monitor people living at The Hall closely to keep them safe while this happens.”
‘Positive interactions’
On its website, Nexus Programme describes its approach to challenging behaviour as “nurturing people” by “positive interactions”.
But the company declined to comment on the findings of the CQC report.
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Published: 26 August 2024
