Norfolk Care Provider Placed in Special Measures After Rating Falls to Inadequate

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has downgraded Dedicated Care East Anglia from outstanding to inadequate overall and placed the service in special measures following an inspection completed in August 2026.

The provider, which operates domiciliary care and supported living services, was supporting four people through domiciliary care and 30 through supported living at the time of the inspection.

The CQC carried out the inspection after potential concerns were raised about the care and support people received. It found the provider breached five legal regulations covering person-centred care, consent, safe care and treatment, safeguarding and good management.

The service’s safety rating fell from good to inadequate, while its well-led rating dropped from outstanding to inadequate. Its effectiveness and caring ratings declined from good to requires improvement, and its responsiveness rating fell from outstanding to requires improvement.

Inspectors found that leaders had not consistently ensured people received safe care, with shortcomings in assessing individual needs, staff competence and the management of risks. In the domiciliary service, care plans did not always contain sufficient information or accurately reflect people’s needs, while staff did not consistently follow them.

The CQC also identified failures to investigate and report incidents, raise safeguarding concerns and seek medical advice when necessary. Inspectors found that staff sometimes used faulty equipment and that risk assessments relating to medicines and treatment did not always adequately protect people from potential harm.

Further concerns included inadequate communication with healthcare partners, gaps in continuity of care and weaknesses in staff training, experience and teamwork. Some staff also lacked confidence that their concerns would be heard or acted upon.

However, inspectors found that people were supported to live in clean environments and that people receiving care and their families were largely satisfied with the support provided.

The CQC has imposed conditions on Dedicated Care East Anglia Limited and begun further regulatory action. Special measures will involve close monitoring while the provider makes improvements, with a structured timeframe for addressing concerns and potential further action if the required changes are not achieved.

The regulator said it expects rapid and widespread improvements and will continue monitoring the service to help ensure people remain safe.

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