A ‘SHAMBOLIC’ care company has gone into liquidation with debts of more than £700,000 after failures that left vulnerable adults at risk of abuse.

A ‘large-scale’ multi-agency enquiry is now underway and police are investigating allegations into Alo Care Ltd which runs Ado Lodge in Lymington, Alo Community Services from Highcliffe and Bellus Lodge in Somerford Avenue, Christchurch.

Forty four staff have been made redundant while 13 employees were transferred to the company iDirect which has taken over the community care clients.

The statement of administrator’s proposals says the company had ‘altered’ incidents involving residents that should have been submitted to authorities.

A series of damning reports from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) revealed adults with severe learning difficulties under its care were left bruised, at risk of abuse and malnutrition.

As reported in June, Bellus Lodge closed after the CQC branded it ‘unsafe’, noting residents with complex learning difficulties were bruised when physically restrained by untrained staff members.

Now another damning report has been published on Alo Care Community Services and the service placed in special measures after being rated ‘inadequate’ by the Government watchdog following an inspection in March.

Inspectors found people were ‘not supported safely’ because ‘there were no systems in place to monitor or manage the risks people faced.’

They added people ‘were not protected from the risks of abuse’ because nine allegations of potential abuse had not been reported to external agencies or investigated including a relative finding a large bruise on their loved one. Another concern was raised that staff members ‘had been behaving inappropriately’ by arguing in front of the person and an allegation a person was given a drink containing an ingredient they were allergic to and they were subsequently sick.

Inspectors noted risks in relation to eating and drinking were not managed safely. One person was at risk of malnutrition and the person was supported to eat foods that were unsafe.

The report stated there was evidence electronic records had been altered by management to ‘reduce the severity of incidents.’ They deleted the fact a service user had been offered a reward if they calmed down as well as details about restraints on service users.

Relatives spoke of serious issues with the management with one saying the service has been ‘shambolic since they started.’

One relative complained that despite their loved one’s care plan stating they needed ‘regular changes of staff’, one staff member was set to provide in excess of 120 hours a week and had even moved into the person’s home. Despite concerns from the relative, no feedback was received. Eventually they went to an external agency and the staff member was removed from the rota.

Internal complaints were lodged from every Alo Care Ltd staff member the report reveals.

Dorset Police investigated two allegations of assault at Bellus Lodge however no further action was taken. Hampshire Police said investigations are still ongoing.