A CHARITY that reported concerns about abuse and neglect at the former Purbeck Care Home has welcomed recommendations outlined in a report published this week.

People First Dorset, a charity supporting people with learning disabilities, passed on its concerns about the home at East Stoke to authorities for a number of years.

Shocking revelations emer-ged on Wednesday of physical and verbal abuse suffered by adult residents.

The report said vulnerable adults had been subject to abuse, including attacks by staff and fellow residents.

These revelations came to light after the publication of a Dorset Safeguarding Adults Board (DSAB) report into the privately-run home, a large Elizabethan manor house which went into administration in October last year. At that time it was announced it had gone into administration because of dwindling resident numbers and the lack of a new buyer.

What was not revealed back in October was that Dorset County Council and other local authorities had already stopped referring residents to the home amid concerns, and that a Serious Case Audit – which eventually revealed a number of failings of care – had been launched in 2012.

This probe was initiated after a whistleblower came forward with concerns.

PFD spokesman Clare Tarling said: “The report quotes the staff member from Purbeck Care who reported a lot of the abuse and neglect. We think that people should be encouraged to speak up when they see abuse happening.”

DCC stopped funding new places at the home after an incident in 2012 that led to a senior member of care home staff being later jailed for six months.

Shaun Dean Hewitt, aged 52 from Wool, was convicted at Dorchester Crown Court in April 2013 for an attack on a 30-year-old woman with learning difficulties. The court heard Hewitt became ‘enraged’ and dragged her by the ankles before launching into a verbal tirade.

The DSAB report’s independent chairman Jane Ashman, said: “The point is to learn from this. Nothing can detract from the fact it wasn’t good for a lot of the people who were there.

“I don’t think any of the agencies are proud of where things got to before they took action.”

Police investigations

DORSET Police confirm they have investigated a number of reports at the care home including assaults and allegations of thefts, but they are not currently conducting any criminal investigations in relation to the home.
Chief Inspector Chris Naughton, of Dorset Police’s public protection unit, said: “We welcome the report. Dorset Police is very committed to a multi-agency approach in relation to vulnerable members of the public. Addressing recommendations in the report, we have already implemented changes in our safeguarding referral procedures and advice has been given to the relevant officers and staff to ensure possible future incidents are flagged up and dealt with appropriately.”
Anyone with concerns in relation to any criminal matter at the former Purbeck Care Home should call Dorset Police on 101.