Unregistered Portsmouth care firm must pay £44,000 for operating illegally for 5 years

A HOMECARE business has been told to pay more than £44,000 in fines and costs in ‘one of the largest’ penalties issued after it was found to be operating illegally for five years.
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Golden Years Caring at Home Ltd, based in Cosham, was prosecuted by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) after it was discovered the agency had operated without registering with the watchdog since it opened in March 2015.

The company was fined £34,833 at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday after admitting it had carried out regulated activity without the required registration, breaching section 10 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

The firm must pay a £170 victim surcharge and £9,000 costs.

Portsmouth Magistrates' Court. Picture: Chris MoorhousePortsmouth Magistrates' Court. Picture: Chris Moorhouse
Portsmouth Magistrates' Court. Picture: Chris Moorhouse
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It is one of the largest fines given to a unregistered provider.

Joyce Frederick, CQC’s deputy chief inspector of registration, said: ‘Providers of personal care services deal with people whose circumstances make them vulnerable and who may not be able to report abuse or poor care.

‘Where we find providers operating outside of the law, we do not hesitate to act to protect people.’

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Staff at Golden Years Caring at Home had been providing personal care to people living in their own homes since March 2015.

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The CQC initially received information from Portsmouth City Council about the business in September 2017.

The company was contacted by the CQC about not being registered between October 2017 and September 2019.

Several failed attempts were made to register with the CQC but the business did not meet the standards required so a decision was made to refuse its registration.

‘The law requires care agencies to register with the Care Quality Commission to protect people needing care in their own homes. It ensures all care providers are monitored and inspected, meaning safe care and treatment is maintained,’ Ms Frederick said.

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‘This is one of the largest fines handed out to an unregistered provider. I would hope the size of this fine would send a very clear message to anyone thinking of operating a service without registering with the Care Quality Commission.’

More to follow.

Were you or your family member cared for by Golden Years Caring at Home? Email [email protected] to share your experience and thoughts.

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