Vulnerable clients of an Abbots Langley care company are no longer at risk of abuse, according to the health watchdog.

Rudo Gray's care company based in Summerhouse Way received a number of damning reports from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) earlier this year and enforcement action was taken against it.

But after implementing a series of changes recommended by the CQC, the company is now meeting the required standards in six out of the seven categories.

Staff at the care company have now been trained to recognise and respond to signs of abuse and people using the service said they were able to talk to staff if they had any concerns. 

However, the company is still failing to obtain references for staff who have "been with the agency for some time". 

In June, a report highlighted concerns about the provider "knowingly employing staff who had serious criminal convictions" and Hertfordshire Constabulary had previously written to the provider expressing their concern about one employee and whether they should be working with vulnerable people. 

But the latest health watchdog report states that all the staff employed by the Mrs Rudo Gray have now undergone checks with the disclosure and barring services - checks which are designed to ensure that people are suitable to work with vulnerable clients and no other issues with staffing were reported.

A report in March resulted in enforcement action being taken against the provider after analysis showed that 13 care plans and risk assessments did not contain significant information about a person’s needs.

But Mrs Rudo Gray has since reviewed the care plans for their clients and they now provide a personalised service that includes "instructions and directions to the staff on how to deliver care."

A new training programme for staff has been introduced and includes mandatory training in "assisting people to move in a safe manner, use of equipment to assist people’s mobility, the administration of medication and how to recognise and respond to signs of abuse." Staff also receive "hands-on" training from a training organisation and "training via dvd" had now stopped.

Additional training is also being provided on how to deliver personal care and making simple meals for clients. 

Throughout the entire visit, which saw inspectors visit Summerhouse Way earlier this month, improvements were noted throughout every category.

Simon Hoggett, press officer for Hertfordshire County Council said: "Hertfordshire County Council does not have a contract with the provider or directly fund any service users to receive care from them. 

"However, we worked with the provider and our partners in health and the Care Quality Commission to address the issues raised in previous inspection reports. We are pleased that this is starting to have an effect. 

"The wellbeing of those receiving care is our primary concern and together we will take steps to ensure that they receive the support they need."