Abuse and harm became the 'normal' at 'inadequate' Birmingham care home

Four residents with a learning disability or autism have been moved to alternative accommodation after the Care Quality Commission (CQC) found a lack of recognition was “normal" and physical assault had become a “commonplace” at a care home.

The CQC found incidents of physical, verbal and emotional abuse suffered by residents at Summerfield House which had not been dealt with.

The CQC inspected Summerfield House, ran by N H Care Limited, in August where it provides personal care for up to five people and found evidence that residents were not protected from abuse including records which showed incidents of physical, verbal and emotional abuse which had not been responded to and staff making threats to call the police when people were anxious and on one occasion use furniture to prevent a person from moving.

Debbie Ivanova, CQC deputy chief inspector for people with a learning disability and autistic people, said: “Our latest inspection of Summerfield House found a truly unacceptable service with a poor culture where abuse and people being placed at harm had become normal, with no action taken to prevent incidents from happening or reoccurring.

“Records showed incidents of physical, verbal and emotional abuse incidents which had not been dealt with appropriately or followed up. Physical assault between people had become commonplace, made worse by a widespread lack of recognition from staff about the inappropriate and abusive practices going on.”

'Services must inform CQC when they identify safeguarding concerns'

Inspectors also saw a person being hit on the head by another person. This was not recognised as a safeguarding incident and no immediate action was taken to safeguard either person or consider how to prevent this from happening again.

The inspectors also found that the culture of the service was such whereby incidents of abuse, resulting in harm, were deemed as normal. This meant people were exposed to the risk of harm and abuse including verbal, emotional and physical abuse.

Where it was identified people were at risk of choking, there were insufficient risk assessments in place.

Ms Ivanova said: “Care records and the language used by staff to speak to people were derogatory with no thought given to people’s dignity and wellbeing. “We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted and this was not happening.

“Services must inform CQC and other statutory bodies when they identify safeguarding concerns such as these to ensure people’s safety. This service’s continued failure to refer all instances of abuse and thoroughly investigate concerns has put people at prolonged risk of harm and created a closed culture at the home.

“We continue to monitor the service closely and will take further action if we are not assured the necessary and urgent improvements are made.”