A CARE home where the rooms "smell of sewage and damp" has been slammed in a damning report.

Health watchdogs from the CQC have rated Timaru inadequate after mould was found in the bathrooms.

The care home, which looks after six people with learning disabilities and autism, was branded "unsafe" for the residents who live there.

The home, on Greatbridge Road in Romsey, is part of the Sequence Care Group - now rebranded as Liaise.

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It was noted that people at the home were "not safe and were at risk of avoidable harm".

Inspectors found that one person's mattress was torn open with the foam exposed, and another person's bathroom was full of mould.

A member of staff told inspectors that some of the rooms smell like damp and another room smelled like "sewage".

Inspectors found that the provider failed to make sure all staff had the appropriate qualifications, competence, skills and experience to monitor safety and assess risk.

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A cabinet filled with hazardous substances was not kept locked, a person's floor was identified as a slip hazard, and tiles in the laundry rooms were falling off of the ceiling.

A manager at the home told inspectors that they "employ staff and they leave pretty much straight away".

The report said the level of care provided at the home "was not always person-centred and often failed to promote people's dignity, privacy and human rights".

Inspectors said that staff did not always "treat people with human dignity".

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The report said: "On numerous occasions during our inspection we found staff failing to engage with people whilst sitting on chairs looking at their mobile phones.

"We brought this to the attention of the manager who told us this was not acceptable.

"Staff were not always aware of people's hobbies or interests or how to engage with them in a meaningful way."

It was noted that people at the home were "not always provided with sufficient stimulation and engagement". 

A spokesperson for Liaise said: "The safety and wellbeing of the people we support and our staff are our top priorities and we are disappointed when we fall below our high standards.  

“We have put in place a robust action plan in response to the CQC’s findings and we are already working with the CQC and local authority partners to ensure the highest quality of service at this home.

"Like most providers in the sector, recruitment and retention of staff is a key priority for Liaise.

"Where we use agency staff in our support services we ensure we work with the highest quality people possible.”