A report, published by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), looking into a Salisbury adult social care service following concerns about staff not being able to speak or understand basic English.

CQC inspectors found Pembroke Lodge, part of Glenside Healthcare Services group, to be ‘inadequate’ following an unannounced inspection in November.

The Glenside Healthcare Service group is made up of a neuro-rehabilitation hospital and six associated adult social care homes.

The report focuses on Pembroke Lodge that can house up to 16 people and inspectors found that the home’s recruitment procedures ‘did not ensure the staff at the home were suitable to work with vulnerable adults.’

Family and friends of the residents at the home also raised concerns regarding language barriers with the staff and said their loved ones were at risk of harm because staff were not able to understand instructions.

The report said: “On speaking to staff, it was clear that some staff employed through recruitment agencies were not able to speak or understand English. This had a significant impact on the care provided.

“One staff [member] commented, ‘Some staff don’t speak English and use Google translate, it’s not safe.'”

The report said risk assessment were unclear on how to minimise potential issues and staff said they were ‘not confident’ to use holds or intervention techniques to manage escalating behaviour by residents who may show signs of aggression.

One staff member told inspectors: “I am not powerful, they are too strong for me, I am frightened sometimes. I can’t do the MAPA [management of aggressive behaviour] holds as they are too strong, I feel scared.”

Checks are also being carried out at a Glenside facility on Farnborough, that also ‘requires improvement’.