An "inadequate" rated domiciliary care service has been placed into special measures less than year after first registering to practice.

Chatham-based Hands of Compassion Care Ltd provides support for up to six people at their own homes across Medway.

However, the homecare agency was found to have breached various practice rules during its initial year of operation, having first registered in March 2019.

It follows the service's first inspection in January by the Care Quality Commission.

Following the visit it was rated as being "inadequate" in four out of the five areas assessed: safe, effective, responsive and well-led. It was ranked "requires improvement" when it came to care.

Inspectors raised serious concerns about the management of the service and the reporting of incidents which it said put patients at risk of avoidable harm.

The provider, which is also the registered manager, is qualified as a teacher.

However, the report stated "they had not undertaken any management qualifications in health and social care or attended any learning events."

As a result, it found good practice in areas such as controlling infections was not always followed.

Risk assessments were not always in place and care plans were not sufficiently detailed or tailored towards patients.

Medicines were also not well managed and the support provided to people with their medication needed to improve, according to inspectors.

Feedback about the service was mixed with some concerns over the treatment of individuals.

Staff told inspectors they knew how to protect people's dignity but one relative said: "I am not sure they do respect [my relative's] dignity."

"I am not sure they do respect [my relative's] dignity."

Concerns were also raised over the language used by care home care staff when recording observations in people's daily notes.

Mrs Georgina Gweme is listed as the registered manager for Hands of Compassion Care.

A spokesman for the homecare agency, who said they were accountable for the service, said they had undergone a significant "management restructure".

They said while it was a "fair reflection at the time" a number of improvements had been made since the inspection in January.

She said: "We are going rigorously through all our care plans to keep them up to date,"

"We are talking with our clients and they are being kept up to date on a regular basis."

The homecare agency was placed in special measures following the inspection.

This means it will be kept under review but with the Covid-19 it is not sure when it will next be re-inspected.

In the meantime the manager said they would be carrying out monthly audits and working closely with the CQC inspectors to ensure

If significant improvements are not made the CQC may intervene to stop the provider carrying out the service.

Read more: business news from across Medway