A care provider has been downgraded after its latest visit from inspectors.

Verrolyne Services Limited in Victoria Road, Romford, was rated 'requires improvement' overall by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which published a report this month.

It was previously rated as 'good'.

The service 'requires improvement' in three out of five main categories that determine the quality of its services; namely safety, effectiveness and leadership.

It was inspected on September 13, 19 and October 9 this year.

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Verrolyne is registered to provide personal care to adults aged 18 and above and children aged up to 17 in their homes.

At the time of the inspection, 53 people were using the service who received personal care, according to the CQC report.

It referenced a recent ownership change, adding: "Since our last inspection in April 2023, there had been a change in ownership of the provider which caused some disruption to the service."

The report added that staff did not have up to date training to protect people from the risk of abuse, despite systems being in place to do so.

But CQC found no evidence people had been harmed, instead expressing concerns that people were at risk of neglect due to missed visits.

At times, the service failed to provide the care people had expected, inspectors said.

However, CQC said staff did follow infection control procedures to protect people.

Staff members were not criticised and relatives told the CQC that employees were respectful and caring.

But care plans and assessments of people's needs lacked information for staff to meet them safely, it was found.

"Not all staff has received up to date refresher training at the time of our inspection," the report stated.

People told the CQC that they had mixed experiences of staff punctuality and reliability.

Delays to care and changes to regular staff who attended people's homes was another issue outlined in the report.

The report added: "Leaders and the culture they created did not always support the delivery of high-quality care."

The service was, however, found to be 'good' in the caring and responsive inspection criteria.

Verrolyne has not responded to a request for comment.