A CARE agency that failed to protect vulnerable adults from harm has been shut by owners.
Two Counties Community Care, based in Brent Hall Road, near Wethersfield, had cared for adults in their own homes across mid and north Essex.
But a catalogue of damning reports by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspectors dating back to January 2013 had stated action was needed to prevent abuse and keep checks on vulnerable people, and the agency was shut down by its new owners.
In February this year the industry watchdog fined the agency £4,000 for not having a registered manager, while other failings included insufficient training, poor staffing levels, incorrect record keeping and failing to protect vulnerable people from harm.
The CQC reported that Two Counties even looked after two children whose parents were unable to, despite not being registered to do so and staff lacked the correct training.
A spokesman for MiHomecare, which bought Two Counties Community Care from the Enara Group in 2012, said: "Since we acquired the business we made considerable investment in the Two Counties operation but were unable to raise its quality and performance to the levels we expect from our care business in an acceptable timescale. As a result of this we closed the Two Counties business in March 2014."
A spokesman for Essex County Council, which had used the agency, said: "Two Counties decided to terminate its contract with Essex County Council for the Finchingfield branch following a period of non-compliance with the Care Quality Commission Care Standards and difficulties with recruiting staff due to the rural location.
"Dignity, compassion and safety are fundamental to the standards we expect from all our providers."
