I want to report care home to care inspectorate but fearful I’ll lose employment

[Overthis22]

I have worked part time in a small private care home for six months and I am on a zero hours contract. I have witnessed what I would class as abuse, not the physical type, but the removal of personal items as punishment for not doing as they are told, shouting a residents, withdrawing care, removing choice, threatening to remove their pet and so on. They always seem to focus on one poor lady in particular because she is classed as ‘challenging’. I have raised it with the manager and he doesn’t see it as abusive, and thinks that actions should have consequences but it goes against all the training I’ve received. I want to report but I am frightened of losing my only income as they could just stop offering me shifts (zero hour contract) and it’s a small staff team so pretty sure they would know it was me. Feel so sad and helpless.

You sound like an amazing and kind carer. Other care homes or home care would be so happy to have you. Please report this to cqc. We need more people like you in care sector

My gran died because of injuries sustained through an abusive care home and my family are now in a long and painful process with police and solicitors. Please report them

Please report your concerns to CQC. I had a relative who lived in a care home. He was mentally disabled. He was taken into hospital after a fall, the paramedics were concerned enough to make a report to the CQC. He had health conditions that contributed to his passing, but could've been managed had the staff listened to him, rather than dismissing him.

I would echo this. You sound like you are in exactly the right job, just in the wrong place.

Realise this is really difficult for you and you will also be worried about the care of your residents in the meantime, but as soon as your report this, they will be number 1 concern. And if you do stay (even if till you find a new job) while it may feel awkward for you, the manager will not be able to put a foot wrong after this, including with your shifts.

You have a duty to whistle blow if you’ve taken concerns to the manager and they’re being ignored.

Please please please report. My dad was in an abusive care home for the last two weeks of his life, I wish their behaviour had been picked up previously and i still worry about what goes on there now. Please report, it’s horrific to think of that happening.

I work for an age related charity, this absolutely must be reported . Please have courage and stop this abuse it’s absolutely appalling!

You have a legal duty to report safeguarding concerns. If you don't report its seen as being complicit

You need to report it OP. By not reporting it you are also abusing them. Could you get another job lined up first?

Part of your training, interview etc is likely to have mentioned whistleblowing procedures. Reporting the Home is the right thing to do. We as Carers are the voice of our residents - if we won’t speak up when they can’t, who will? You sound like the kind of Carer Homes are crying out for OP.

Most care workers are not allowed to use mobile phones around residents. It'd be a sacking offence to record a resident . I wouldn't attempt to do this unless you want to give them a really good excuse to get rid of you.

Sorry but by saying nothing you are enabling this abuse
You have witnessed it, voiced your concerns and you do nothing?
You are responsible for the care of vulnerable and elderly and choose to watch this happen?
Please be this poor persons voice and speak up for her

I like working with the residents. It’s the learning disabilities field. I would be sad to leave but I’ve gotta do something. To be fair, I reported a specific person for their abusive language towards a resident and that must have been taken forward as although still working there they have changed their approach. I honestly feel like you could get away with murder in this place though. One of the managers has worked in care homes for so long I feel they’ve become institutionalised themselves, and the other used to work in children’s services and it shows!

No. I have spoken up already within the service. That’s what you’re supposed to do. I am also responsible for the care of my children, and need to ensure there is food in the cupboard. I can’t just kick up a fuss with no back up.

This. Please please report them.

How terrible for this poor lady and others who witness this- including your colleagues. I can’t believe you are the only one who feels this isn’t right - maybe the others are too afraid to speak up.

Can you alert anyone else anonymously? Does this victim have any family? You could secure another job before you complain… alternatively you say the care home is privately owned- is it part of a chain or has one owner?? Maybe someone else could contact the director or board of directors on your behalf - hiding your identity - and say they’ve been asked to approach them directly and urgently by ‘several members of staff’. I expect those higher up the chain might be compelled to act and quickly. One of us could even contact them for you and say there is a group of staff who are concerned but fearful of speaking out. Please don’t give up on this xX

You mention care inspectorate, are you in Scotland?

For the CQQ (the English equivalent) there is an option to anonymously whistleblow on their website as an employee. The regulator, AND the service user and their families, rely on employees feeling safely able to do this. They may come and undertake an unscheduled inspection, which they are more than entitled to do. When you report online, you can state that you are fearful of being identified. This is for the CQC but I’m sure it’s the same for the Care Inspectorate in Scotland

@Overthis22
You know you have an obligation under the codes of practice to report.

You don't want to be tarred with the same brush.

I feel like some folk go into care because they love the feeling of control it gives them. Some staff do agree with me that it’s wrong but I’ve not seen them speak out. I think because it’s not obvious, like physical abuse, it’s easier to ignore. It’s very much a keep your head down and don’t ask questions culture. It’s rubbish. Not sure why I’m still there. Oh wait, the residents…

The care inspectorate hold a lot of information about registered providers and will look at all information they receive. You can report anonymously and tell them you’re concerned about being identified. They will take you seriously. You can also report to your local social work department. You don’t need to answer but where in Scotland are you?

I don’t want to say incase one of my colleagues is on here. Sorry

OP, I know how hard it is to whistle blow, but you really. need to report this.

Whistle-blowers are protected in law. You can't be sacked for this - although I appreciate the manager can make your life unpleasant.

As another poster said, you have a duty under your code of conduct to report a safeguarding issue. Your Service Users rely on good care workers to support them and advocate for them. It sounds as though you are a good care worker who has their best interests at heart.

If you are somewhere with other care homes in easy reach, including older people's homes, you will find another job.

Try to get evidence of abusive actions in email and forward to your own email address. You will need evidence of being dismissed for whistleblowing, I know as I've been there, done that.

Could you also consider reporting the nurses in charge to NMC (regulator for nurses and midwives in U.K.) They have guidance about protecting whistleblowers

That’s understandable.

You do need to report. The Care Inspectorate will take action to ensure you are not identifiable when they investigate. There are lots of ways they can do this.

You have to report it. How could you live with yourself otherwise? A vulnerable woman needs your help.

Are there any other places you could explore getting a role at? There is a shortage of care staff.