A Watford care home has been placed in special measures after inspectors found it to be unsafe and inadequate in every aspect.

Fairhaven, in Park Avenue, was visited by a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspector in April but due to serious concerns unearthed on the first day of the inspection, two additional inspectors attended on a second day in May. 

The care home had no registered manager in post and not enough staff to look after the 16 people living there at the time.

People’s human rights were unlawfully restricted by staff, with no consent obtained prior to care and support being delivered, and care plans did not include any information about residents’ capacity to make and understand decisions.

Staff failed to treat people with dignity and respect, gave them no choice at mealtimes and no access to snacks or refreshments, and did not afford them opportunities to take part in activities that suited their personal preferences and choices.

Residents were found to be at risk of receiving unsafe care and support, there were discrepancies in the recording of people’s medicines - which were not managed or accounted for correctly – and fire risk assessments and evacuation records were not kept up to date.

Those living at the home were also placed at risk by staff who were carrying out unsafe moving and handling procedures.

Following the identification of several breaches of regulations which put people at risk of harm, the decision to take enforcement action against the provider was made.

This service will continue to be kept under review by the CQC and, if needed, could be escalated to urgent enforcement action.

Where necessary, another inspection will be conducted within a further six months, and if sufficient improvement is not made the CQC could revoke the service licence to prevent it operating in the future.