THE region’s largest care organisation is in ‘chaos’ following the suspension of four bosses.

And Scottish Borders Council is refusing to provide any assurances to the thousands of elderly clients who rely on the SB Cares service.

It is understood that the four managers at the arms-length organisation have been suspended ahead of conduct investigations taking place. The 800-employee organisation is now being run with a lack of experienced management at the helm, according to insiders.

One told us: “SB Cares should be called SB chaos just now.

“The staff and supervisors are more or less having to run the show themselves – since the suspensions there is a lack of experienced management.”

SB Cares has already come in for repeated criticism from the watchdog body, the Care Inspectorate, in recent years.

Despite claims from the local authority that improvements were being made, this month’s suspensions are a major set back.

SB Cares runs care homes, day services and also provides home care across the entire Borders.

Scottish Borders Council confirmed an investigation was ongoing but wouldn’t discuss the suspensions or provide any assurances for clients.

A spokesperson said: “We are unable to comment on individual employment matters.”

Local MSP Christine Grahame (SNP) has hit out at the local authority’s stance.

She told us: “Scottish Borders Council should be assuring all of these people who rely on the SB Cares service instead of hiding behind ‘no comment’.

“If senior members of staff are suspended pending investigations, then who is doing their jobs?”