By Jonathon Hill,Twm Owen
Copyright walesonline
Police are investigating potential neglect at a care home where some staff weren’t properly trained and residents were deemed unsafe. An inspection report revealed “significant concerns” at Arthur Jenkins care home in Blaenavon with a follow-up identifying only “limited progress” in addressing them. An order has also been issued preventing further admissions to the home while social workers are also seeking alternative homes for current residents. Torfaen council has said it has “no assurance that it is a safe service at this current time”. The council reported police were notified following a multi-agency response to the critical report issued by Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) in May and the follow-up inspection in August which identified “further serious concerns” at the home run by private firm Spectrum Healthcare. For the biggest stories in Wales first sign up to our daily newsletter . A council spokesman said: “As part of the multi-agency response to concerns raised by Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) regarding the quality of care at Arthur Jenkins Residential Home Gwent Police were notified. In response Gwent Police have launched an investigation to establish whether any criminal offences have been committed.” Gwent Police confirmed it received a referral from Torfaen council on August 19 “regarding concerns of neglect in Arthur Jenkins residential home, Blaenavon”. CIW had previously issued four priority action notices to the facility following “significant concerns” identified during the May inspection when it also blocked any new admissions while the council began its escalating concerns process. The most recent inspection in August found “limited progress” in tackling issues with the council also stating that inspectors “identified further serious concerns relating to the wellbeing and safety of individuals, overall quality of care and support, and leadership and management”. A council spokesman said: “Following the most recent CIW inspection the council who commissioned Spectrum to deliver the service at the Arthur Jenkins care home have no assurance that is a safe service at this current time. Therefore it is our statutory duty to safeguard the wellbeing of the residents and the council has started the process of finding alternative homes with the families and residents of Arthur Jenkins.” Councillor David Daniels, Torfaen’s cabinet member for adult services, said: “The safety and wellbeing of residents is our absolute priority. The council’s commissioning and adult care management team are in the home seven days a week to support residents and staff throughout this process and are currently reviewing each person’s individual needs in conjunction with healthcare professionals. “We understand how extremely distressing and worrying this situation must be for families, staff, and everyone concerned about the wellbeing of residents at Arthur Jenkins Residential Home. We will continue working with Care Inspectorate Wales, colleagues in Blaenau Gwent , and the responsible individual for Arthur Jenkins care home to ensure residents receive the care and support they need and deserve.” The CIW report in May stated that “care and support” and “leadership and management” at the facility required “significant improvement” while “wellbeing” needed “improvement” but acknowledged the “environment” was “good”. Among the shortcomings it highlighted were “safe staff recruitment and vetting processes” and “significant findings which put people at immediate and serious risk of harm or neglect”. This was attributed to “ineffective governance and quality assurance arrangements” which “failed to identify or manage significant risks to people’s wellbeing and safety”. The inspectors also discovered medicines weren’t managed or stored properly and not all staff were adequately trained. Detective chief inspector Shelley Comley, who is leading the Gwent Police investigation, said: “We understand that allegations of this nature can cause concern and upset within our communities. We take these reports very seriously and are conducting a thorough investigation. “The investigation is in the very early stages and so you may see our officers in the area and at the residential home carrying out inquiries. If you have any information that you think might help our investigation please come forward to report.” Hafod, the previous operators, announced in September last year its intention to close the Arthur Jenkins home. Torfaen council intervened to find a new operator with Spectrum Healthcare appointed in December 2024. Darren Edward Pomphrey, director of Spectrum Healthcare, said: “We are committed to the improvement notices and have no intention of leaving the service and will be rectifying all the issues ready for the next inspection around September 25.” Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice .
