A recent study conducted by Oxford University has shed light on the concerning trend of private care homes in England facing closure due to breaches. The research found that a staggering 98% of adult care homes closed by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) between 2011 and 2023 were operated by private companies, with only 12 being run by local authorities or charities. Similarly, over 90% of children’s homes closed by Ofsted from 2014 to 2023 were run for-profit, raising serious questions about the quality of care provided by private providers.
Anders Bach Mortensen, the lead researcher, highlighted the overrepresentation of for-profit providers in forced closure statistics, emphasizing the need for stronger regulatory measures to protect vulnerable individuals. The study revealed that businesses operating in the private sector accounted for a significant majority of care homes closed for serious breaches of standards, indicating a systemic issue within the industry.
Involuntary closures were described as extreme examples of care failure, often involving instances of neglect or abuse that have severe consequences for residents. The financial costs incurred by local authorities in relocating residents from closed care homes further underscore the challenges posed by these closures.
One striking finding from the study was the case of Atlas Project Team, a company that was ordered to close 14 care homes in 2012, the highest number of closures by a single provider in the past 12 years. The firm was found to have subjected adults with learning disabilities, autism, and mental health problems to systemic neglect, prompting a police investigation that uncovered alarming instances of mistreatment.
Moreover, the study highlighted the unequal distribution of care homes, with a concentration of facilities in affluent areas catering to wealthier residents while leaving elderly individuals in deprived localities underserved. Similarly, children’s homes were found to be clustered in poorer areas, raising concerns about the welfare of vulnerable children placed in these facilities.
The Labour government’s pledge to create a national care service has been met with mixed reactions, as the party has shifted away from the idea of providing the majority of care through the public sector. The decision to cancel a planned cap on social care costs has sparked debates about the funding and sustainability of the proposed national care service.
Overall, the study calls for a reevaluation of the current model of outsourcing care to the private sector and underscores the need for stronger regulatory oversight to protect the well-being of vulnerable individuals in care homes across England. As discussions about the future of social care continue, addressing the systemic issues identified in the study will be crucial to ensuring that all individuals receive high-quality and compassionate care in a dignified manner.