Working at Mercers
14 Serpentine Walk, Colchester, CO1 1XR
Operated by Mercers
7 bedsResidential homes
Workplace Score
5.5/10
AI analysis of latest data
Our AI workplace review
PlainSight AI Review
Last updated: 9 February 2026
Score: 5.5/10
Key Finding
"Staff feel well supported with strong safety practices and varied activities, but the manager struggles running two homes and training gaps persist."
Safety & Risk
7/10
✓
Staff had a good knowledge of how to keep people safe from avoidable harm and risk assessments were in place for staff to follow. People were supported to take their medicines in a safe way
Staff Culture
6/10
✓
Staff spoke positively about working for the provider. They felt well supported and could talk to management at any time, feeling confident any concerns would be acted on promptly
Staffing Levels
6/10
✓
There were sufficient numbers of staff at the service. One staff member told us, 'There are enough staff because we have two members of staff to support two people. We then have four members of staff for everyone else.' Where there was need for cover other workers and agency staff were called
Training & Dev
4/10
!
Training for staff had not always completed and not all staff had undertaken the Care Certificate where required to ensure they had the skills knowledge and experience to deliver effective care
Management
4/10
!
The registered manager is also the registered manager for another regulated service. They told us, 'I try my hardest, but managing both houses is a struggle, there is not enough time to manage both.' Quality assurance processes did not always effectively identify issues
Programmes
6/10
✓
People participated in a range of activities. Records showed varied activities took place both internally and externally to the service
Points to consider
The manager runs two homes so struggles with time and oversight here, missing some issues in audits
The registered manager is also the registered manager for another regulated service. They told us, 'I try my hardest, but managing both houses is a struggle, there is not enough time to manage both.' Quality assurance processes did not always effectively identify issues
Not all staff training is up to date and some haven't done the Care Certificate
Training for staff had not always completed and not all staff had undertaken the Care Certificate where required
Staffing is enough but they use agency staff sometimes to cover shifts
Where there was need for cover other workers and agency staff were called
AI Generated
CQC Inspection Overview
CQC Inspection
Last inspected: February 2019
Good
Safe
✓
Good
Effective
✓
Good
Caring
✓
Good
Responsive
✓
Good
Management Quality
Well-led: Requires improvement
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- Care Quality Commission (CQC) Inspection Data
- PlainSight staff reviews