Home care provider company rated inadequate
Getty ImagesA home care agency has been placed in special measures by the health watchdog after being rated inadequate.
Karrthikeya Health Company Limited provides care for three people living in their own homes and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) carried out an inspection due to concerns received about potentially unsafe recruitment of staff.
It found six breaches relating to the need for consent, safe care and treatment, safeguarding, staffing, fit and proper persons employed and how the service was managed.
The BBC has been unable to reach the company, which has its head office in Newcastle, for comment.
The CQC reports stated that while people expressed general satisfaction with their care and support, elements of the service did not meet the expected standards.
Inspectors found staff they spoke to were unable to describe people's care and support needs.
Other findings included leaders not having the skills, knowledge, experience and credibility to lead effectively, and a lack of regular team meetings meant staff were not kept up to date with important information changes in users' needs, or updates relating to service policies and procedures.
Discussions about people's future wishes did not form part of the care plan structure, and the provider had not established effective working relationships with health and social care partners.
It was also found there were no processes or procedures to outline what people/staff should do in an emergency or out of hours, and no business continuity plan in place to ensure people had continuity of care in an emergency.
The company provides care to one person in the north-east of England and two in London
It has been placed in special measures, which means it will be kept under close review by the CQC to keep people safe and will be monitored to check sufficient improvements have been made.