This inspection took place on 7 September 2016 and was unannounced. The service provides accommodation and personal care for up to 13 people with a learning disability or autistic spectrum disorder. On the day of the inspection there were 11 people using the service.

The service has a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People felt safe and they were protected from the possible risk of harm. Risks to individuals had been assessed and managed appropriately. There were sufficient numbers of experienced and skilled staff to care for people safely. Medicines were managed appropriately and people received their medicines regularly and as prescribed.

People received care and support from staff who were competent in their roles. Staff had received relevant training and support for the work they performed. They understood the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and associated Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. They were aware of how to support people who lacked mental capacity. People’s nutritional and health care needs were met. They were supported to maintain their health and wellbeing and had access to other health care professionals and services.

The experiences of people who lived at the home were positive. They were treated with kindness and compassion and they had been involved in decisions about their care where possible. People were treated with respect and their privacy and dignity was promoted.

People’s care needs were assessed, reviewed and delivered in a way that promoted their wellbeing. They were supported to pursue their leisure activities both outside the home and to join in activities provided at the home. An effective complaints procedure was in place.

There was a caring culture within the service and effective systems in operation to seek the views of people and other stakeholders in order to assess and monitor the quality of service provision.

We found that the provider had systems in place to maintain the safety and welfare of service users. The service provided staff with specialised training to ensure the safety of people with specific medical needs.

The provider had good arrangements to promote effective performance of the service. We spoke with three members of staff and the registered manager. Staff told us that there was always a sufficient number of staff on duty to meet people’s needs. We examined the rota which confirmed what we were told.

We saw that the registered manager showed clear leadership and that all staff were expected to provide a high quality of care to people. The provider ensured that people’s care was regularly reviewed and that additional provisions to support their care were provided where required.

We found that the provider had systems in place to effectively respond to complaints. Whilst the service had not received any complaints the registered manager and staff were clear on how complaints should be handled. People who used the service and their families were also provided with information on how to make a complaint.

We gathered evidence of people's experiences of the service by talking with people, observing how they spent their time and noting how they interacted with other people living in the home and with staff.

During our inspection we spoke with two people who told us they liked living at Essex Care Consortium Marks Tey. We saw that people smiled and appeared relaxed and comfortable with staff and others living in the home.

People living in the home told us that they were happy living there. They also told us that they were confident that if they had any concerns they would be listened to and their concerns would be addressed.