Care home closes after going into special measures

Meadowcroft Residential Care Home is based near Manningtree in Essex

A care home that looked after six people with learning difficulties and autism will close after it was put in special measures by a watchdog.

Meadowcroft Residential Care Home near Manningtree, Essex, was inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) between 8 May to 6 June and four breaches of regulations were found relating to person-centred care, safety, consent and governance.

The CQC added works to build a seven-bedroomed extension to the site had left the building's "big garden" too "dangerous" for people living in the home to use.

All residents of the care home were in the process of transitioning to new homes with the support of staff, the CQC said.

The CQC found the renovation plans had not been explained to the residents, who had previously been able to grow vegetables in the garden.

Inspectors said the demolition work for the extension had created significant disruption and some residents had already moved out due to the noise.

It added that two other people had moved to the provider's sister service because of the works, which was not registered to meet the needs of their learning disabilities.

A CQC spokesperson said: "The provider also told us they would no longer be providing a specialist service for people with a learning disability and or autistic people at Meadowcroft, but there was no clear progression planning in place for people who may need to move out of the home."

A Meadowcroft Residential Care Home spokesperson said: "Following the CQC inspection, all building work was halted."

Safety concerns

Safety concerns were also raised in the report after inspectors found that a cupboard with hazardous cleaning supplies had been left unlocked and a resident was a known to be at risk of consuming non-food items such as toiletries.

The report said the provider did not always listen to concerns about safety and did not always investigate and report safety events .

A family member said they found bruises around their loved ones eye when they came to meet them, which had not been communicated to her prior her visit.

A staff member told inspectors: "We have the residents who get the odd bruise from somewhere, they have scratched themselves. No major issues."

The report also stated that there was a "calm" and "settled dynamic" between people living at the care home and one resident said they were happy at the home.

A spokesperson from Meadowcroft Residential Care Home said: "At Meadowcroft, the well-being and comfort of our residents has always been, and will continue to be, our highest priority.

"While we are deeply disappointed that our efforts to enhance and improve our facilities have led to this outcome, we remain fully committed to providing the highest standard of care throughout our residents' transition to their new homes, most of which will be completed by this Friday."