Kent Care Agency Faces Special Measures for Unsafe Practices

A care agency in Kent, known as **Qualified Care Ltd**, has been placed under special measures by the **Care Quality Commission (CQC)** due to alarming practices that put clients at significant risk. The inspection revealed that staff members were working up to **20 hours a day for as many as 10 consecutive days without breaks**, contributing to a dangerous environment for both employees and those in their care.

The CQC’s findings highlighted severe deficiencies in leadership and staffing, with one individual reportedly falling and being at risk of internal bleeding due to inadequate safety measures. Inspectors noted that the agency’s leaders “ignored the danger” and failed to take necessary actions to protect vulnerable individuals.

According to **Serena Coleman**, the CQC’s deputy director of operations in Kent, the agency’s culture demonstrated a lack of accountability for safety, stating, “This showed a culture that failed to protect people and failed to value staff who were trying to raise safety issues.” The report further indicated that care plans lacked proper analysis of incidents, leaving staff without critical information needed to prevent future occurrences.

The inspection, conducted in **March 2023**, found that Qualified Care Ltd, based on **Barley Drive** in Whitfield, breached multiple legal obligations related to safeguarding, management, and safe care. The service was rated as “inadequate” in key areas including safety and leadership. As a result, the agency is barred from accepting new clients and must implement immediate changes to ensure the safety of its current clients.

Staff members expressed their concerns about the working conditions, with one stating, “I am often awake all day and night as the people I support can be very distressed and need assistance. I have told the management that I am extremely tired and do not often get breaks.” This sentiment underscores the challenges facing caregivers in the agency, where exhaustion can lead to compromised care.

The CQC’s report emphasized that clients with complex needs, such as those living with diabetes, heart conditions, and dementia, did not have adequate care plans to meet their requirements. The absence of proper guidance left staff ill-equipped to make informed decisions regarding patient safety.

Coleman reiterated the CQC’s stance, declaring, “The standard of care we saw at this service is completely unacceptable. People were living at daily risk of avoidable harm because leaders failed to provide safe staffing, proper training, and oversight.” Without swift improvements, the agency remains a significant risk to its clients.

As Qualified Care Ltd enters a period of close monitoring by the CQC, there are clear expectations for improvement. The regulatory body has the authority to initiate civil or criminal actions if the agency fails to comply with its directives. The agency cared for only three individuals at the time of the inspection, raising concerns about the broader implications for care standards in the region.

The CQC’s decisive action underscores the critical need for accountability in the care sector, ensuring that vulnerable populations receive the safe and effective care they deserve.