Home care service licence revoked

A home care provider has had its registration cancelled after clients' welfare was judged to be at risk.

Walsall Council applied to magistrates to revoke the licence for Working Together Specialist Care Agency.

It said it took the decision after inspectors found the level of care offered fell below acceptable levels.

An agency spokesman said it had taken on a large contract in October which caused operational difficulties and it had high regard for service users.

The Walsall-based firm has 28 days to appeal against the decision. Alternative arrangements have been made for its clients.

Shock situation

Councillor Barbara McCracken, the council's cabinet member for social care, said: "We regret some of our clients have not been given the standard of care they deserve but their welfare is of paramount importance to us and we are not prepared to compromise that."

She added the situation had come as a shock to the council.

Andrew Wilson, managing director for Working Together Social Care, said the company had worked in a dedicated fashion in Walsall for more than four years and received a good quality inspection from the Commision for Social Care in June this year.

"In October, we took on a large contract which created some operational difficulties.

"We have the highest regard for our service users and carers and staff," he said.

Working Together Specialist Care, a subsidiary of Shaw Homecare, took over work previously carried out by Sue Ryder Care in September.

One woman complained she had been left without home care following dialysis treatment.