Council decision-making procedures and legal advice “not followed” during closure of care home, independent review finds
An independent review into Wakefield Council’s decision to close a residential care home, moving some residents in less than 48 hours, has found that the council’s decision-making procedures were “not followed properly”, and that there wasn’t enough focus on the needs of residents.
The review, carried out by a former local government chief executive Janet Waggott, also observed that although legal advice was given for the closure to be carried out in a “planned, person-centred way”, this advice was not followed.
The report identifies failings in leadership and management, including “challenges with organisational culture” in adult social care.
Hazel Garth in Knottingley is a residential care home for older people living with dementia.
In May 2024, council officers decided to close the home and quickly move the six residents into alternative accommodation.
The report noted that although concerns were raised about the speed of the decision to move residents, the concerns were “not heard”, as four of the six residents were moved in less than 48 hours.
Janet Waggott, the independent reviewer, wrote: “Common courtesy was not afforded to the residents who were in the Council’s care. […] The decision-making procedure rules were not followed. I have concluded the reason this did not happen is because there was insufficient knowledge of local government procedures in decision making and a lack of social care knowledge prior to the decision being taken.”
She noted that the decision to close the care home so rapidly had had a “profound effect” on all concerned and had caused “harm and distress”.
She described the council’s reputation as “severely damaged”.
The council revealed it has since taken a series of “proactive improvement” steps, including apologising to residents’ families and holding an initial meeting with them.
Cllr Denise Jeffery, Leader of Wakefield Council said: “I’m deeply sorry to the residents, their families, and our staff at Hazel Garth for the impact this decision had on them.
“I’ve listened to some extremely distressing stories from the families. The extent to which we let them down is starkly set out in the independent report. And the seriousness of the failings underlines how this must never be allowed to happen again."
She added: “I’d like to thank Janet Waggott for doing such a comprehensive job on the report, and to everyone who contributed to it. It makes for very difficult reading. But it now provides us with a basis to make decisive changes to how we care for our vulnerable adults, building on the first steps we’ve already taken.
“Only by continuing to be open, transparent and by implementing a clear improvement plan will we start to rebuild the trust of everyone in our care who relies on us.”
Lottie Winson
