A care home has been put into special measures after it subjected residents to "unlawful restrictions and control over their freedom".
UK International Nursing Agency Ltd Dom Care, based in Station Road, Radlett, was graded 'inadequate' in all areas after a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection.
The report published on July 28 revealed safeguarding was “poor” – with one resident quoted saying: “I don’t belong here. I am not happy or safe here.”
Another reportedly had an injury to their arm and neck, but the manager “could not establish how it happened”.
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Inspectors noted that people with “protected characteristics” were discriminated against by having restrictions imposed because of their “undesirable” behaviours – such as one person having their phone and computer locked away.
The report reads: “They were also denied support to go out and help with their online shopping if the registered manager or provider considered that their behaviour did not warrant these privileges."
It was said one person was “misled and coerced” into signing a care plan that agreed to these restrictions.
The CQC said: “The provider and the registered manager failed to operate effective safeguarding processes, and this left people at risk of abuse. They promoted a discriminative approach towards people with protected characteristics. People were subjected to unlawful restrictions and control over their freedom.”
Various other risks were identified such as recommendations from fire risk assessors not being implemented, and residents not being safe from food-borne illnesses as some staff had not received food safety training.
According to the public body, there were not enough staff deployed to meet people’s needs and their needs were not effectively reviewed.
Staff also lacked understanding of people’s needs and to effectively support people living with mental health needs, the report states.
As a result, inspectors concluded that the service “was not fit for purpose” with statutory requirements.
Overall the safety, effectiveness, care, responsiveness and leadership of the services offered were ‘inadequate’.
The Watford Observer has approached the care home for comment but it has not responded.
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