- Care home
Essex Care Consortium - Marks Tey
Assessment report published 2 February 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Date of assessment: 25 November to 22 December 2025. The service is a residential care home providing support to adults of all ages with a learning disability and or autistic people. Essex Care Consortium Marks Tey is registered to support a maximum of 13 people. At the time of our assessment 11 people were living at the service.
We have assessed the service against ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ guidance to make judgements about whether the provider guaranteed people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. We completed this assessment to check for improvement since our last assessment in October 2023. The last assessment found that the provider was in breach of the legal regulations relating to safe care and treatment and good governance. During this assessment, some improvements were identified, however the provider was in breach of regulation relating to infection prevention and control and staffing with regards to training and safe recruitment. There was a continued breach of the regulation relating to good governance.
Right Culture. Systems and processes for assessing, monitoring, and improving the quality and safety of the service required further strengthening. Checks on the premises were not consistently identifying necessary improvements and repairs. Systems for recording incidents, accidents, and safeguarding concerns were not always used effectively to support learning or to improve outcomes for people. Right care - Care within the service was person centred and upheld people’s dignity and privacy. Staff supported individuals who expressed their needs or distress through their behaviour using positive and respectful approaches. However, the analysis of behavioural incidents needed to improve to better identify trends and implement preventative measures. The service had sufficient staffing levels to meet people’s needs, including provision of 1 to 1 support to facilitate access to the community. Right support - People lived in a home that met their needs. The service is in a rural position and fits in the local residential area. There was nothing outside to show it was a care home. The service consisted of 2 bungalows, named The Laurels and The Vines, and a separate flat situated in a large garden, which people had access to. People received good care from staff that knew them well and treated them with kindness and respect. People were involved in decisions about their care, and this was regularly reviewed. Staff felt valued and supported by the registered manager. External healthcare professionals and commissioners were complimentary about how the service worked with them and supported people.
During this inspection CQC was notified of incidents concerning consent and best ‑interest decision making, which are currently under investigation by external agencies. Although this inspection did not review those specific incidents, the information received indicated potential concerns regarding financial best‑ interest‑ decisions. These associated risks were examined as part of this inspection. We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found at this assessment. In instances where CQC have decided to take civil or criminal enforcement action against a provider, we will publish this information on our website after any representations and/ or appeals have been concluded.
People's experience of this service
People able and willing to speak with us told us they were happy living at the service. Where people were unable to share their views, we used observation to assess the quality of care. This showed that staff understood people well and provided appropriate support. People appeared at ease in their home environment and were comfortable with staff. Staff engaged with people in a warm and respectful manner, using clear and effective communication. People were supported to exercise choice and control in their daily life. We saw people chose how to spend their day at home, in the community or at a local day centre where they had access to a range of activities such as gardening and cooking. People were supported to engage with family and friends. One relative commented, “(Person) is not restricted here. They go to Church on Sunday around the corner by themselves and has friends at Church.”
Staff showed a genuine interest in people's well-being and quality of life and supported them do the things that mattered to them and to retain their independence. Relatives’ comments included, “(Person) likes living at the service and working with others. They do jobs with the maintenance team, like sweeping up,” and “(Person) will help with the laundry if they are in the mood. They like to potter about in the garden and watch wrestling on the TV.” People were supported by staff to understand and manage risks to their safety. Relatives told us they felt that their family members were safe and well cared for at the service. Comments included, “My (person) is well looked after here,” and “My (person) is established there, I have no major concerns. I am happy as staff let me know if they need anything. They are in the right place and safe.”