INVESTIGATIONS are ongoing after a care home worker was arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting a resident.

Police confirmed a 20-year-old man from St George’s Nursing Home in Barrow was being investigated following the allegations.

Care home bosses said the worker was no longer employed at the care home following the alleged incident.

Barbara Johnson, the director of nursing at Risedale Care Homes, said the home was working with police on the investigation.

In a statement, she said: “It is with great sorrow we confirm that after thirty-three years of unblemished nursing and residential care, one of our six-hundred staff is under investigation for a criminal offence relating to one of our residents.

“We can confirm that the member of staff concerned was immediately removed from St George’s nursing home and is no longer in our employ.

“We are liaising with the police on this sub judice matter."

She added: "They have specifically requested we do not comment further at this time so that we do not prejudice their investigation.

“It is so very sad that one individual can blight the extremely high professional, loving care standards of so many caring and compassionate managers, nurses and carers.

“Naturally, our primary importance at this time is the welfare, care and wellbeing of the resident concerned who remains in our care at St George’s Nursing Home.”

Cumbria Police confirmed the incident was reported to have taken place at the care home.

A spokeswoman said: “Police can confirm that a 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault.

“Appropriate measures have been put in place at the home, to ensure the safety of all residents whilst the police investigation continues.”

Officers said the suspect has been released on bail.

Risedale Lonsdale and St George’s care homes, in Albert Street, can accommodate 95 and 51 residents respectively.

It was recently rated as good by the Care Quality Commission regulator.

Inspectors praised it in all categories, calling it ‘safe’, ‘effective’, ‘caring’, ‘responsive’, and ‘well-led’:

“The staff knew the people they were supporting and treated them in a respectful but friendly way”, inspectors said.

“People were included in decisions about their care and their choices were respected.”