Widespread failures at a struggling care home plunged into special measures by a health watchdog may force it to close, inspectors have warned.

Bosses at the Care Quality Commission (CQC) say they are currently considering using their enforcement powers after a recent focused inspection at the Oaks Residential Care Home in St Mary’s Road, Great Bentley.

Assessors who visited the home, ranked inadequate in all areas at the end of January, published an updated report this month warning that sufficient improvements hadn’t been made over a six month period.

Chiefs wrote: “Failures in the service continued to be widespread and demonstrated the provider’s inability to make and sustain improvements.

“The CQC is currently considering its enforcement powers.

“This includes taking action in line with our enforcement procedures to begin the process of cancelling the provider’s registration.”

Inspectors previously published a damning report after visiting the home in August and September last year – suggesting poor practice had led to residents being put at risk of being trapped or strangled.

They said certain methods regarding the use of protective aprons and bibs put people at risk of harm, and placed it in special measures.

Responding to the first report the proprietor of the service, which cares for people with dementia, said they were taking swift action to improve.

According to chiefs, a new manager was appointed soon after the home was given an ‘inadequate’ rating in late January.

They said: “The Oaks management takes the findings of the CQC report seriously.

“Many improvements to the service have taken place since last year and these have been accelerated under a new manager appointed since late January this year. These improvements have been acknowledged by key stakeholders. “The management expects a much better report at the next inspection.”

CQC bosses confirmed they visited for a focused assessment on January 25 and 31, with the results published on April 13.

A spokesman said: “As a result of what inspectors found, CQC is taking action to protect the welfare of people using this service.

“Meanwhile, we continue to monitor the home and to work with the local authority with regard to the home.”