Rotherham Care Staff Suspended Amid Standards Probe

A number of staff at a council-run residential home in Rotherham have been suspended amid an investigation into standards of care, it has emerged.

A council spokesman said it had acted after “serious allegations” were made against staff at Laudsdale Residential Care Home in East Herringthorpe.

It would not say how many of its 35 employees had been suspended.

South Yorkshire Police have been informed and Rotherham Borough Council has launched its own investigation.

A council spokeswoman said: “I can confirm that, as per normal procedure and as a neutral act, a number of staff have been suspended from work at the Laudsdale Residential Care Home.

“South Yorkshire Police have been informed and the council has launched its own investigation in accordance with its Protection of Vulnerable Adults policy.

“As such it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.

“We are using staff from other care homes to cover at Laudsdale, and if necessary we will bring in agency staff.”

South Yorkshire Police confirmed it was aware of the allegations but as yet had not launched a criminal investigation.

The home, which is one of a number earmarked by the council for closure as part of a modernisation programme, provides long-term care for elderly residents and has accommodation for around 30 people.

A Commission for Social Care Inspection report compiled after a visit to the home in April said: “There is a friendly and welcoming atmosphere at the home.

“People using the service and their relatives stated that they were happy with the service being provided.

“They commented that the care staff were ‘good and friendly and very committed’.

“Staff have a good relationship with people who live at the home and this is based on respect for the individual and for their rights.”

It said the home had received one complaint from a person who had used the intermediate care service.

The complaint was referred to the local adult protection team of the Social Services Department and had been resolved to the satisfaction of the complainants, the report added.