Care firm goes into administration following Winterbourne View abuse scandal

The company behind the scandal-hit Winterbourne View care home has gone into administration.

Administrators of Castlebeck, who were appointed yesterday, said the impact of the abuse scandal at the home near Bradley Stoke and the subsequent closure of other units, including Rose Villa in Brislington, had led to the firm’s financial difficulties.

Winterbourne View attracted national headlines in 2011 after hidden filming uncovered staff punching, slapping and taunting residents with learning disabilities. It closed within a month of the abuse being broadcast in the BBC documentary Panorama.

Last year 11 members of staff from the home were sentenced at Bristol Crown Court, with six of them jailed for what was described by the judge as a “corrupt, debased and monstrous” culture.

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Grant Thornton UK LLP has been appointed as administrators for Castlebeck, which continues to run 20 independent hospital assessment treatment and rehabilitation and residential care units. There are currently 214 high dependency learning disability and mental health patients and residents in its care.

The units will remain open while the administrators work to find new owners for them.

Daniel Smith from Grant Thornton said: “The Winterbourne View facility abuse incident led to the immediate closure of that hospital in mid-2011 with the group promptly undertaking a root and branch internal review of its Castlebeck operations. The group implemented changes in corporate and operating governance together with comprehensive compliance and regulatory improvements to ensure appropriate quality care provision to its patients and residents.

“While the board has focused on quality care provision and restoring confidence in the Castlebeck operations, the impact of two further unit closures in 2011 and reducing occupancy has significantly diluted Castlebeck's subsequent trading capabilities.”

He said that a sale of the entire Castlebeck business to one purchaser was unlikely to be achieved in the short term.

“A number of prospective purchasers have already shown their interest in acquiring the individual Castlebeck operating units, which will continue to operate and trade normally whilst such sales are progressed, and new owners for the operating units emerge,” Mr Smith said.

“We are engaged in discussions with the care regulators, local authorities and other stakeholders regarding the Administration processes.

“All 214 patients and residents will continue to receive the highest level of medical, nursing and clinical care from Castlebeck's own team of doctors, clinicians, nurses and carers. The Castlebeck care and nursing staff will work closely with the administrators to ensure that the welfare of all patients and residents remains the priority.”