Care company KDAC folds leaving vulnerable without help

A CARE company has folded leaving elderly and vulnerable people without carers. KDAC has now been liquidated after becoming insolvent.

Forty-eight people were left without the lifeline care they need to get by.

Social services bosses were forced to put emergency cover into action following the collapse of the Winchester-based company.

The firm is currently negotiating with care company Allied Healthcare with a view to them taking over the contracts.

KDAC, which supplied carers across Hampshire for both local authority contracts and private individuals, said the closure was “unexpected”.

A statement released by its management said: “It is with much sadness that KDAC Ltd has had to cease trading.

“Negotiations are in progress with Allied Healthcare to ensure that there will be continued care for the respective client bases.”

Fifty-three staff, mostly carers, who lost their jobs are being told to apply for positions with Allied Healthcare.

It is understood that some of the staff offered to carry on visiting their clients until a replacement could be found – despite not being paid.

Bournemouth insolvency adviser Mark Liddle LLP was called in to close down the business.

But Mr Liddle remained tight-lipped about the amount of debt that the firm was in.

He blamed national competition and a cap on funds available for local authorities as factors in the company folding.

Southampton City Council leader Councillor Royston Smith said: “We are actively working to ensure continuity of care for all those affected.

“Care managers will be contacting the 20 people that received care from KDAC and will be speaking to their relatives.

“We expect to be able to have appropriate alternative care in place.”

Meanwhile Hampshire County Council said it would use its own in-house crisis response team to ensure that there is continuity of care.