'Our advice line hears every day from people struggling with the continuing crisis, receiving poor care which jeopardies their dignity and safety'

THOUSANDS of Britain's most vulnerable people are living in failing care homes, figures reveal.

- Giles Sheldrick

Days after the decade-long crisis was finally acknowledged with for an independent plans commission to transform social care, the Express can reveal how the frail, elderly and vulnerable are being badly let down.

Official figures show 2,615 care homes around 20% of those inspected by the Care Quality Commission regulator - are ranked either inadequate or requires improvement.

But experts fear the grim picture will only deteriorate further as social care providers brace themselves for the full impact of Labour's Budget tax raid which will take effect from April.

That, industry experts say, will force many to cut and run leaving those most in need of help in limbo.

Helen Wildbore, Director of Care Rights UK, said: "Our advice line hears every day from people struggling with the continuing crisis in social care, receiving poor care which jeopardies their dignity and safety.

"It is unacceptable that one in five care homes are still not meeting basic standards - the regulator must address these failings with urgency.

‘Family members are left trying to make the best of very bad situations with no rofessional support’

"With the financial pressures on the system getting worse, we fear this will lead to more homes being forced to close. Older people living in care deserve security in their home a move can have a devastating impact on their health and wellbeing."

The CQC rates homes as either outstanding, good, requires improvement or inadequate, after its unannounced inspections.

There are 14,516 registered care homes but only 13,844 are ranked.

An audit by the Express shows 143 are rated inadequate, 2,472 as requires improvement, 10,634 good and 595 outstanding.

The CQC says there are an additional 672 unrated homes, including those recently registered, or where services have changed legal ownership more than once and their previous rating has been removed.