A care home looking after people with learning disabilities has been ordered to improve after “significant shortfalls” were identified by the health watchdog.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) red-flagged safety as “inadequate” in a report rating the Leonard Cheshire-run Shore Lodge in Dartford as "requiring improvement" overall.

An inspection team went in twice in March this year following concerns raised by healthcare professionals.

They found the charity-run home to have failed in all five areas assessed - safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.

The first was rated as inadequate and the rest required improvement.

Inspectors noted some relatives were concerned the service had deteriorated and was not as consistently good as before.

In its overview, the CQC reports: “We found the provider was not following the guidance and people were not receiving the required standard of care.

“We identified significant shortfalls across all areas of the service and identified seven breaches of regulation including the management of risk, supporting people’s choice and gaining consent and the management of the service.”

The main CQC concerns were around safety, where care had “deteriorated and breaches of regulation had been identified”.

There were “potential risks to people’s health and welfare and were not managed to keep people as safe as possible”.

Inspectors noted: “People had been placed at risk as staff had not followed guidance from healthcare professionals. Staff had not used the correct equipment to move people.”

Hazardous substances were not locked away, medicines not managed safely and there were concerns over cleanliness.

Inspectors noted the residents at the home in Bow Arrow Lane were often left on their own and lacking stimulation.

Their overview stated: “People’s rooms had not been furnished or decorated following people’s likes or dislikes… (people) were not supported to access the community regularly or when they wanted to.”

A number of relatives had “some concerns” about their loved ones’ care and support while other “felt the service had deteriorated and the level of care was not as consistently good as it had been”.

We recognise that improvements at Shore Lodge are necessary so that people receive the best care and support, tailored to their interests and needs

In a statement, a spokesperson for Leonard Cheshire said: “We recognise that improvements at Shore Lodge are necessary so that people receive the best care and support, tailored to their interests and needs.

“Since the inspection, immediate steps are being taken to address the issues raised in the report, including implementation of training, enhanced protocols, and a review of our safety measures.

“We are committed to providing high-quality care and we will be working closely with commissioners and the CQC on progress.”

According to the Charity Commission (CC), Leonard Cheshire exists to provide “effective and efficient community based services to disabled people” to be achieved through a “well-run organisation”.

The commission’s website says that the charity employs nearly 4,500 people across the country.

The CC says that in 2023 its income was £152m - largely through government contracts and grants - but the expenditure was £162m.

A dozen employees at the head of the organisation earn more than £100,000, including one with a salary in the £200-250,000 range.

KCC member for Dartford Cllr Kelly Grehan said she was “surprised” at Shore Lodge’s inspection report as it has not been flagged by residents before.

Cllr Grehan added: “If the CQC has concerns about this place then that is in itself concerning but local residents are welcome to get in touch with me if they are worried. I will endeavour to make a visit to Shore Lodge myself in due course.”

The charity was founded by the RAF war hero, Leonard Cheshire, who was awarded the Victoria Cross for his role in No 617 squadron, better known as the ‘dambusters’.

The charity’s chief executive officer Ruth Owen told Care Home Professional earlier this year: “Since joining Leonard Cheshire, a huge amount of my time, and that of my wider leadership team, has been devoted to addressing a serious financial crisis which had built up over many years.

“After many years of operating with large deficits between income and expenditure, we had to start reversing this trend urgently in 2022/23.”