A TEESSIDE council has launched an investigation into the running of a care home for people with mental health needs.

Officers at Hartlepool Borough Council have placed their own manager and team of staff in the privately-owned Pangbourne Residential Care Home, in Park Avenue, Hartlepool following concerns raised.

Independent assessors alerted the council to problems surrounding the quality of care being received by residents after visiting the site last week.

This prompted the council to express serious concerns about the day-to-day running of the home and well-being of the residents who live there.

Nicola Bailey, the council's director of adult and community services, said: "The large majority of people who reside at Pangbourne are funded by the council and we have a duty to ensure that they receive first class care.

"Regrettably, following visits to the home by independent assessors and members of our social care team, it is our view that the level of care provided falls well short of the standards we expect.

"We do have serious concerns and have placed our own manager and social care staff in the home while a full investigation is carried out. We expect the investigation to be concluded soon."

She added: "The concerns raised relate to the quality of care that was being provided to the residents including the personal care being delivered and the way staff interact with residents."

Two residents have been moved to alternative care homes at the request of their families. Ten residents remain at the home.

Mrs Bailey said that the authority had notified the residents' families of the situation and that they would be kept fully informed of developments.

Jill Harrison, assistant director of Hartlepool Borough Council, said she did not know what the future held for the care home.

She added: "Our staff will stay there until the investigation has been completed.

"We are in constant contact with the families of the residents to keep them up-to-date with what is happening."

No one from Pangbourne Residential Care Home was available for comment today.

A spokeswoman for the Care Quality Commission, the regulatory body for care homes in England, said they had been made aware of an investigation taking place at the care home.