A care company with a base in Leek has been rated as 'inadequate' in its latest inspection.

Community Care Worker Limited is based in Hanley but also has bases in Leek, Crewe and Stafford, providing care to people living in their own homes.

The service currently provides care to around 180 people.

The inspection found "people were not always kept safe as safeguarding concerns were not always acted upon or reported" and "people had been left at risk" as a result of missed calls to the service.

It also found that "medicines were not always managed safely" and the service had not followed Government guidance about Covid testing for staff.

The quality and safety of care and support also suffered from "ineffective oversight" and concerns were raised about "poor communication".

The inspection also found that staff did not always receive enough training, and in one case a staff member "was sent out to administer medicine without training which put people at risk".

An overall rating of 'inadequate' was given, with specific 'inadequate' ratings given in the categories of safety and leadership.

A 'requires improvement' rating was given in the category of effectiveness, and 'good' ratings were given in the care and response categories.

In more positive areas of the inspection, it also added that "people were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. However, some people's capacity assessments could be more robust."

It added: "Staff were following guidance about personal protective equipment and wearing these whilst in calls. People were supported to access food and fluids when this was needed as part of their care. The previous inspection rating was being displayed as necessary."

Following the 'inadequate' rating the service has now been placed in special measures.

This means it will be kept under review and inspected again in six months.