A care home has been rated as inadequate after a damning report by inspectors.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) visited Attwoods Manor, in Halstead, in January to follow up concerns raised during an inspection last September.

In its report published this week it reported “continued breaches” of care regulations.

Inspectors saw soiled sheets left on people’s beds and wheelchairs, dirty chairs, and one resident told them they had not had a bath for two weeks because staff were too busy.

Staff were praised by residents and inspectors for being “caring”, while the acting manager was “hard-working”, and making efforts to turn around the home and introduce a change in culture at the home, in Braintree Road.

Relatives also commented that staff were friendly and kept them informed of changes in their loved ones’ care.

However the report noted there were not enough staff to provide care responsive to people’s needs, and inspectors observed a bath rota and toileting times.

Although the provider, Golden Age Management, said there were enough staff they did not show inspectors any evidence they had assessed the 47 residents’ needs and evaluated how higher dependency may result in the need for more workers.

Inspectors were also worried about the way decisions were made for people without the capacity to make their own choices, and questioned whether this was lawful if the home did not hold power of attorney.

Concerns were also raised about procedures if a fire broke out, with some fire doors either blocked or propped open.

Ground floor bedrooms were kept locked at times due to dementia patients wandering into them, but not everyone who wanted a key had one inspectors were told.

Many of the issues raised by the CQC audit were around record keeping and providing evidence to show concerns raised were acted upon.

The CQC has now outlined improvements the home must take in order to comply with care regulations.

No-one from the care home was available to comment.