A Devon and Cornwall care provider has faced ‘financial abuse’ accusations in a series of damning reports by the CQC.

Four services for people with learning disabilities and autism run by Spectrum (Devon and Cornwall Autistic Community Trust) were rated Inadequate following inspections by the regulator.

The four care homes are: Silverdale, Redruth, Trelawney House, Helston, Carrick, Truro and Heightlea, Truro.  

Debbie Ivanova, CQC’s deputy chief inspector for people with a learning disability and autistic people, said: “We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability the safety, choices, dignity, and independence that most people take for granted. When we inspected Silverdale, Trelawney House and Carrick, we found the people who called these services home, were being failed by leaders.”

Ivanova said employees were working 84-98 hour weeks and also completing sleep in shifts due to short staffing.

The deputy chief inspector said there were concerns that individuals “could have been exposed to the risk of financial abuse” with indications of a financial relationship that “may not have been in the best interest” of one person at Carrick.  

Management of people’s finances has subsequently been taken on by Cornwall Council.

A spokesperson for Spectrum said: “The health and wellbeing of the people we support is our absolute priority and we are doing everything we can to provide them with the high quality care they deserve. We are working closely with Cornwall Council and the CQC to address areas of concern in our adult services.

“This work is on-going and includes addressing recruitment challenges within the county. We would like to thank the people we support and their families for their continued support of our charity.”

A spokesperson for Cornwall Council said: “Cornwall Council is working with NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board to help address the significant issues that Spectrum are facing with the services they provide for adults with autism in Cornwall.

“We are working with Spectrum to make sure residents are safe, both immediately and in the longer term. Their wellbeing is our highest priority.”