AN INADEQUATE care home for adults with disabilities has been criticised by a watchdog.

Managed by Achieve Together Limited, 231 Brook Lane in Sarisbury Green has been rated as requires improvement in its latest CQC inspection.

The category safe was branded inadequate, and the other four categories - effective, caring, responsive, and well-led - were rated as requiring improvement.

The service provides care and support for seven people who may be living with a learning disability or autism.

Inspectors said they "could not be assured people were always protected against the risk of possible abuse".

A manager told inspectors: "I will be honest, we found out about an incident that hadn't been reported to safeguarding and it happened a couple of months ago.

"(A resident) fell during a seizure and they hit their head on the wall twice. Staff did call 111.

"The incident took place on February 6. We referred it to safeguarding yesterday."

Inspectors were "not satisfied" that skilled and trained staff were always available to administer medicines in the event of an emergency.

A manager told them: "Not all staff are trained to administer medicine. I asked who can administer meds when I first started, and it wasn't enough so more needs to be done."

Inspectors highlighted that there were not "suitable arrangements" in place to regularly assess risk.

One resident was found to have a "a small fingernail sized scab on their head" but there was nothing on the records about how it happened.

Another resident had "a bruise inside there left arm", but the staff and manager had not noticed it and no body map was in place.

A professional told inspectors that they didn't feel confident all staff knew how to respond to incidents where people required emotional support or redirection.

The inspection report said: " Care was not always provided in a person-centred manner and relatives told us people were unable to access community services.

"The leadership in the service failed to create a culture of inclusion which empowered people's lives."

An Achieve Together spokesperson said: “We apologise unreservedly for the failures highlighted in this report, which go against the high standards we set for ourselves as an organisation, and that the people we support rightly expect and deserve.

"Ensuring their health, safety and wellbeing is our top priority.

“We have implemented a number of changes since inspectors visited.

"We will continue to work closely with those we support and their families; the CQC; and Hampshire County Council to build on the improvements underway."

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