A care service looking after people with autism and learning disabilities in Northumberland has been slammed by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and put into special measures after inspectors found "people were not supported have maximum choice and control of their lives".
After the inspection in July, Alexandra Park in Newbiggin was rated "inadequate" overall and for being safe and well-led. It was rated "requires improvement" for being effective, caring and responsive. In response, Lifeways Community Care - the firm which runs the service - said it had replaced the leadership team at Alexandra Park.
Alexandra Park offers supported living accommodation along with residential care - and at the time of the inspection there were 13 people on the "campus" in supported accommodation and four residential service users. The CQC's inspectors found that "systems to support and deliver care, and staffing numbers and staff training" did not support those being looked after to live independent lives.
