Ten Havant care home staff suspended amid police probe

TEN care home staff have been suspended while a major investigation is carried out.

Police and social care watchdog, the Care Quality Commission, are investigating allegations made into procedures at Dolphin Court, Havant, which is a residential care home for 12 young adults with learning disabilities run by Mencap.

The charity would not reveal what the specific allegations were but said they were not related to physical abuse.

A source told The News it was about record keeping.

One staff member, who did not want to be named, said: ‘The staff have only been doing what they were told to do by management.

‘Mistakes may have been made but through no fault of their own.

‘The clients are safe and very well looked after, just not according to the regulations.

‘Some of the staff have been with the clients for 20 years so this is very upsetting.

‘It’s a happy place to work, everybody enjoys their job and caring for the people they care for.’

A report into the problems at the care home is due to be published next week by the Care Quality Commission.

In a statement Mencap chief executive, Mark Goldring, said: ‘Anonymous allegations were raised in late June about the residential care service at Dolphin Court, Havant.

‘We immediately responded to these concerns, working closely with the relevant authorities.

‘Some areas were identified where care planning and management needed to be improved.

‘We have worked closely with the local authorities to address all concerns and have put a robust care plan in place to ensure that everyone in the service is well supported and protected.

‘We have identified no evidence of physical abuse.’

Mr Goldring said the investigation was ongoing and no other Mencap services were affected.

Police confirmed they were investigating but no arrests have been made.

Dolphin Court opened in 2006 and was later officially opened by the Countess of Wessex.

In a review by the Care Quality Commission in 2008, Dolphin Court was given a three-star ‘excellent’ rating. It said the service provided ‘good outcomes’ for residents.