Unregistered homecare agency ordered to pay £18,000

A homecare agency has been ordered to pay more than £18,000 after providing a service without being registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). 

Motiv8ed Support Ltd appeared before Manchester Magistrates’ Court having pleaded guilty to carrying on a regulated activity – the provision of personal care – without registration.

The company was fined £15,000, ordered to pay £3,000 prosecution costs and a £170 victim surcharge following the case brought by CQC.

The regulator was informed that Motiv8ed was providing personal care unregistered by Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council in 2018. The council discovered the offence following a review of its agreements with providers of personal care.

The court heard that in May 2018 CQC informed Motiv8ed providing personal care without registration was a criminal offence. Despite this, it continued to operate without registration for a further five months. The service carried out personal care unregistered, to at least three people, for almost a year.

The court heard care delivered to one person was so poor it contributed to the person becoming reclusive and suffering anxiety attacks.

Joyce Frederick, CQC’s deputy chief inspector for registration, said: ‘The impact that poor care had on one person using Motiv8ed Support Limited’s service, and the risk the company put others at, is deeply upsetting.

‘When services like Motiv8ed Support Limited fail to register with us it means we are unable to check that care being provided meets the standards people should be able to expect and that people are safe. This is why it is vital providers of services ensure they are registered with CQC before delivering care.’

Owners of care services can face up to 12 months imprisonment and an unlimited fine if they provide a service without registration.

Motiv8ed Support Ltd is no longer in operation.