A CARE home which received a damning report by watchdogs has closed after the county council withdrew its contract.

Scarletts care home in Recreation Road, Colchester, has closed and residents have been moved to other placements in the area.

Essex County Council said the home had failed to make improvements after the Care Quality Commission put it into special measures.

An Essex County Council spokesman said: “Essex County Council terminated its contracts with Scarlett’s Care Home due to the care home’s failure to meet its action plan for improvement.

“The 14 funded Essex County Council residents were all supported to find suitable alternative accommodation of their choice.

“The closure of the home was not a decision made by the county council.”

The last CQC report was published in March following an inspection in December.

Watchdogs found the home was inadequate in all areas.

At the time of the inspection there were 23 residents, who were vulnerable due to their age and frailty.

The home was in special measures, following an inadequate rating in June last year. The watchdog found there to be poor leadership and management which led to poor care.

The CQC said in its report: “The reports the provider submitted regularly to us did not provide the information we needed to demonstrate the progress they were making in improving the service or people.”

Inspectors visited again in September and December, but were still receiving concerns about staffing.

The watchdog added: “At a meeting on January 23, the external consultants shared with us an extensive action plan they had drawn up to address and drive improvement and meet fundamental standards of care and safety.

“They confirmed the beginning of March was the expected target date for completion.”

CQC said staff did not have the skills, competence or knowledge to meet people’s needs in a safe way. There was a lack of managerial oversight at all levels.

Scarletts was run by Essex County Care, we contacted them but did not receive a response.