ONE of the three residential homes operated by Community Access Network has failed four of the five standards the public has a right to expect of it, according to the health watchdog.

The community living project, based out of the Pembroke Centre on Cheney Manor Industrial Estate, has three homes across the town, each with three residents who have learning disabilities.

Their Drove Road premises, number 85, has been found seriously wanting by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which said action needs to be taken in 80 per cent of the standards it is required to meet.

The findings of an October 30 inspection were published on December 18, which exposed failings in the care and welfare of people who use services, safeguarding users from abuse, staffing and records.

“People we spoke with told us they were happy living in the home and felt safe, cared for and listened to by staff,” said inspectors.

“However, we found that people’s care and support was not being planned and delivered in line with their individual assessed needs.

“Incidents of behaviour that had challenged the services had not been reported to safeguard people and others.

“We found there was not enough skilled and experienced staff to meet people’s needs at all times. This was mostly when behaviour by people had challenged the services and risk of harm to people and others were greater.

“We saw that staff had found it difficult to locate records they needed to inform them about how to meet people’s needs.

“Incidents of people’s challenging behaviours were not recorded and were not measured to enable staff to identify possible triggers of behaviours to safeguarding people and others.”

The care providers dispute the CQC’s findings, unreservedly. When the regulator initially revealed its findings to the Community Access Network, they were rejected and appealed twice, before the CQC pushed forward with publication.

Julie Murray, a director at the firm, said: “The company has challenged the negative findings of the report and has provided evidence that supports this.

“We are working closely with the Local Authority (Swindon Council) to continue to provide a quality service that encourages independence and community participation of all our service users.

“We are confident that a further inspection this month will demonstrate that we are providing a high quality service.”

The Drove Road home’s last inspection took place on September 27, 2012, when inspectors found all five standards were being met.

As a result of this most recent inspection, Community Access Network was asked to provide a report by December 31, 2013, setting out the action they will take to meet the standards expected.

Further inspections will take place within the next six months to identify whether action has been appropriately taken.