A CRISIS-HIT care service in the Borders is about to be disbanded following continued scandals.

SB Cares employs around 800 staff and is responsible for the well-being of thousands of the region's elderly and infirm.

But the Limited Liability Partnership organisation has been plagued by damning inspections and fall-outs.

Earlier this summer four bosses were suspended ahead of conduct investigations.

Over the past few weeks plans have been put in place for dissolving the arms-length body and bringing its services back under local authority control.

One SB Cares employee told us: "We have gone from one crisis to another more or less since day one.

"It's been obvious for a while that the whole organisation was needing replaced.

"From our side it isn't a bad thing that we are being taken over by the council - it can't get any worse."

SB Cares was launched amid much fanfare in April, 2015.

As well as operating the local authority's care homes, the new organisation took over home care, day services and extra care housing.

Phil Barr was appointed managing director and he declared that the 'intention is to put huge emphasis on the quality of our care and the quality of our team'.

But over the past four years the new business has been regularly blasted by government inspectors who demanded improvements across most of its services.

There's also been unrest and anger among staff with the closure of the Bordercare service in Galashiels and the ongoing closures of day centres for the elderly.

And in June we revealed that four senior members of staff had been sent home amid allegations of misconduct.

Scottish Borders Council confirmed this week that employees of SB Cares are being briefed ahead of changes.

A spokesperson said: "A report is being prepared for full council at the end of September which will consider the future operating arrangements for SB Cares.

"This may include a recommendation to bring SB Cares back under the direct control of Scottish Borders Council.

“SB Cares staff have been briefed on this position and reassured that should there be any changes these will not affect their terms and conditions.

"Further staff briefings will be provided in due course.”