Wolverhampton Homecare Provider Placed in Special Measures After CQC Inspection

Clarity Homecare Wolverhampton has been rated inadequate by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and placed in special measures after inspectors identified concerns about care planning, medicines management, staff training and leadership.

The service, operated by RGHarmony Care Limited, provides personal care to younger and older adults with dementia, sensory or physical disabilities and mental health conditions. It was supporting 18 people when CQC inspected in September, marking the regulator’s first inspection since the service was registered.

Inspectors identified four regulatory breaches relating to safe care and treatment, safeguarding, staff training and management.

The service received inadequate ratings for safety, effectiveness and leadership, while caring and responsiveness were rated as requiring improvement. CQC has also started regulatory action to address the concerns, although the provider has the right to appeal.

CQC found that care plans and risk assessments were either missing or out of date, leaving staff without essential information about people’s needs and potential risks in their homes.

Inspectors identified weaknesses in medicines management and record keeping. Records suggested one person had received a medication patch intended for weekly replacement three times within a single week, with the provider’s systems failing to identify the issue.

Care plans also did not always accurately reflect people’s health conditions, while inconsistent staff understanding of supporting people with dementia and emotional distress raised concerns about the consistency of care.

The regulator found that leaders could not demonstrate that staff had completed essential training in areas including medicines management, safeguarding and mental capacity.

Other concerns included the absence of audits covering medicines, care calls, health and safety and staff performance. Inspectors also found that people were not always referred to healthcare professionals when their needs changed.

CQC further identified failures to assess whether people could consent to their care, including those living with dementia, raising concerns about whether decisions were being made in their best interests.

Amanda Lyndon, CQC deputy director of adult social care in the West Midlands, said the inspection had exposed weaknesses in leadership oversight and understanding of the risks faced by people receiving care at home.

She highlighted the lack of reliable care records and risk assessments, alongside concerns about medicines and staff knowledge. CQC said it had informed the provider of the improvements required and would continue monitoring the service closely.

However, people receiving care and their relatives gave positive feedback about staff, describing them as kind, compassionate and punctual. Staff also told inspectors they felt supported by managers and were comfortable raising concerns.

The special measures designation means Clarity Homecare Wolverhampton will remain under close CQC scrutiny while improvements are pursued to protect people using the service.

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