VULNERABLE adults with learning difficulties suffered a catalogue of abuse at a former Purbeck care home, a damning report has revealed.

The privately-run Purbeck Care Home, a large Elizabethan manor house set in 17 acres of grounds at East Stoke, had provided specialist care for adults with learning difficulties for decades.

The official reason given for its closure in October 2014 was that no buyer was willing to take over the running of the home, forcing the board to call in administrators.

However, following the publication of the Dorset Safeguarding Adults Board (DSAB) report yesterday, it has now became apparent the home had been subject to a Serious Case Audit (SCA) investigation that uncovered a range of shocking abuses and failings of care.

This probe was launched in 2012 after a ‘whistle blower’ came forward reporting his concerns over residents’ treatment and the way the home was being operated.

The SCA report, covering the period between January 2010 to November 2012 uncovered:

  • A number of allegations of residents being physically assaulted by staff. Subsequent police investigations into each allegation found insufficient evidence for criminal charges.
  • Allegations of verbal abuse of residents. Again, these related to different alleged members of staff and residents, but did not result in any criminal charges.
  • Historical allegations of thefts of money from residents. One email seen by the investigator referred to a sum of £4,206.82. In one confirmed case, a staff member made unauthorised withdrawals from a resident’s bank account. The offender was successfully prosecuted and in January 2013 received a community sentence.
  • Reported incidents of resident on resident assaults, one resulting in a broken hip and broken arm.
  • Reports of self harm by residents, who were often left on their own.
  • Residents being transported in poorly maintained vehicles, sometimes driven in a dangerous manner by a staff member.

Following the SCA probe, the safeguarding adults board – which includes a number of agencies such as Dorset Police, Dorset County Council, health trusts, probation, Dorset Fire & Rescue Service, district and borough councils, and learning disability groups – recommended a string of improvements.

DSAB chairman Jane Ashman said: “This in-depth review is about the lessons we must learn and the actions we must take to prevent abuse from happening again.

“It is also about promoting a culture and a way of working that actively challenges poor practice and promotes passionate care across the system.”

When the initial SCA probe was launched in 2012, the home had 40 residents placed by various agencies across the county.

Dorset County Council stopped funding any new places in 2012, following an incident when a male member of staff subjected a female resident to a prolonged period of physical and verbal abuse. He was eventually sentenced to six months behind bars.

A subsequent case audit uncovered gaps in staff training, lack of planning care packages for older residents, limited access to any activities and poor food and drink provision. As pressure from these reports mounted the home eventually closed in October 2014. All of the residents were relocated.

DSAB’s recommendations

THE Dorset Safeguarding Adults Board (DSAB) report recommends a number of points for health and social care agencies.

These include better sharing of information, forging stronger links with families and advocacy services, as well as improved procedures for staff to raise concerns about care standards.

The SCA report highlighted a number of failings to ensure that the privately-owned and run home was operated adequately.

It also called on all social care organisations to improve communication, cooperation and share local intelligence.