Blackbrook House

Gun Hill, Dedham, Colchester CO7 6HP
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9.6 81 Reviews
  • Blackbrook House, Colchester
Blackbrook House in Dedham is situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty on the Essex-Suffolk border. The home provides residential and dementia care for up to 55 residents in comfortable ensuite rooms and continues to welcome new residents.

As one of England's largest not-for-profit providers of housing and care for those over 55 years of age, Anchor continually reinvests the money it makes into its retirement properties and care homes, to continually raise standards to provide a high-quality service to surpass customer’s expectations

Anchor ensures each individual’s health and care needs are continually met by working closely with customers and their families.

They provide on-going dementia training for care staff which ensures their approach always reflects best practice. Anchor recognises that everyone is an individual and works hard to provide person-centred care.

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Care Provided

Primary Care Categories

  • Older Person Care
  • Dementia

Length of Stay

  • Permanent Care
  • Respite Care

Care Types Provided

  • Residential Care
  • Dementia Residential Care
  • For a maximum of 55 Service Users

Dementia Care Types

  • Mild Dementia
  • Moderate Dementia

Other Care Provided

  • Convalescent Care

Facilities

  • Lift
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Television point in own room

Funding & Fees

Weekly Charges per Person

  • Self-Funded Residential Care: from £1367
  • Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: from £1367
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Care: from £1367
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: from £1367

Colleagues at Blackbrook House will be happy to discuss our weekly fees with you and what our fees include.

These prices are only a guideline, please contact Blackbrook House to find out the exact price for your requirements.

Funding Types Accepted

  • Self Funding (Private)
  • Local Authority with Top Up
  • Local Authority
  • NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)

Good to Know

Group/Owner

Person in charge

  • Lucy Yarham (Manager)

Local Authority / Social Services

Admission Criteria

  • Please contact Blackbrook House directly to discuss yours or your loved ones' care needs.
  • Ages 65+

Care Home Design/Build

  • Purpose Built: Yes
  • Year Purpose Built: 2008
  • Number of floors: 2

Room Information

  • Single Rooms (55)
  • Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (55)

Visiting

  • The home welcome visitors as an integral part of day-to-day life.

Parking

  • There is onsite parking, including disabled spaces.

Blackbrook House Reviews (81)

Total of 81, showing 61-80
9.6

Blackbrook House has a Review Score of 9.6 (9.625) out of 10, based on 25 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Blackbrook House has 81 reviews.

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Date Published

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Review from Leslie C (Son of Resident) published on 20 April 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Blackbrook House offers a superb service. All the residents are extremely well looked after. Cannot fault it.

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Review from D A (Resident) published on 15 March 2018
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Staff are kind and caring, food very nice. Beds could be slightly larger. I shall always choose here and come back for short stays. All the best to everyone.

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Review from Tracy D (Granddaughter of Resident) published on 31 October 2017
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Lovely clean home, well decorated. I can see improvements with the decor being made. Excellent menu with a wide variety. My nan is well looked after and well fed.

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Review from Sue W (Daughter of Resident) published on 24 October 2017
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I've found the staff to be very helpful whenever I have requested anything for Mum, it has been done as soon as possible.
The staff are all well tuned to Mum's moods and needs, i.e. she suffered from anxiety and recently the night staff found her awake, dressed and ready for me (I arrive at 9.30am
daily) at 2.30am!
They reassured her I would be arriving, gave her an early breakfast and sat with her until she was calmer.

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Review from Jean B (Resident) published on 24 October 2017
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Warm, friendly atmosphere. Kind, helpful carers. My only complaint is the use of agency nurses who we don't know and don't seem very well trained.

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Review from S H (Son of Resident) published on 30 March 2017
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 3.0 out of 5

Generally warm natured staff. My parents insist Blackbrook staff are better behaved when visitors are present. Staff seem pushed for time and have little empathy and treat residents with a condescending attitude and tend to treat like children. There seems to be staff that work for money and don't really
like the work. Then 50% of the staff seem to truly care and work in the care home as they enjoy caring work. Get rid of the staff who only want wages. They're not in it for the right reason. Care!

Reply from Judith McGugan, District Manager at Blackbrook House

We maintain our staffing levels using consistent agency staff whilst we are recruiting. We monitor care delivery to ensure that staff show respect and dignity are shown towards all our residents. Our staff have regular supervisions when any lapses in performance will be discussed and how we can support them to improve. We have in place an activity programme that is now discussed with residents at monthly resident meetings. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss the comments further to help us ensure that we deliver the services required by our customers.

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Review from John T (Son of Resident) published on 19 October 2016
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My mother who is in Palliative care is being looked after with dignity and kindness. I visit on a regular basis and there is no problem with access. I am always made to feel welcome and the staff are always courteous and responsive. They attend to my mother's problems promptly and effectively. Her room
is kept clean and tidy.

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Review from Sheila (Wife of Resident) published on 28 July 2016
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

After a bad fall and two weeks in hospital my husbands existing dementia had worsened considerably. He was also doubly incontinent. I managed for nearby two months (I am 90 in August) but even with some help when he had bad nights and fell more the children insisted we find a respite home. As soon as
he was welcomed at Blackbrook House he became more relaxed and happier. The care was vastly superior, the staff warm and competent and the surroundings spacious and excellently equipped. He went in on April 19th and we have all agreed he should stay there. He seems settled and tranquil and we can visit him at any time. My daughter (main help) and I and all the family feel great relief that he is well cared for and so I think does he.

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Review from Mark L (Son of Resident) published on 5 July 2016
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My dear mum saw out her last days at Blackbrook House. The staff couldn't do enough for her and she loved them all. In fact I hesitate to use the word 'Staff' !! They were more than that. They were friends, who really cared.

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Review from Brain (Son of Resident) published on 25 February 2016
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The manager and all the staff are all very friendly and helpful. Nothing is too much trouble. We know mum can be a bit difficult at times, but the staff are very considerate and we are very happy about mum's care.

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Review from Mel F (Granddaughter of Resident) published on 11 February 2016
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Nice place. My grandfather is in good hands, nice location and feels safe and clean.

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Review from Sheena B (Daughter of Resident) published on 4 January 2016
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

I have never known such kind and caring staff. The food is good and a great choice. Lovely big dining room. The home seems just like a lovely place. It is so nice to have 3 little drawing rooms, lovely curtains and furnishings. My mother is so happy there. At the moment is a lovely Christmas feeling
with decorations.

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Review from Judith B (Daughter of Resident) published on 14 December 2015
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

As soon as my brother and I walked into Balckbrooke House we were sure it was the right place for our mother. The atmosphere is always good and are always greeted with friendliness by all the staff. We feel mum has had excellent care and the patience as the staff are fantastic! We also appreciate the
support our family has received from the staff.

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Review from M P (Friend of Resident) published on 10 December 2015
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My friend is happy and well at Blackbrook House she likes living there and she says the staff are kind and friendly. Her room looks clean and tidy although she did have bed bugs which were dealt with very quickly, and it did upset her. She loves the food and gets on well with the staff. Occasionally
her underwear has gone missing (not sure if she put them in the rubbish bin herself).

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Review from Matthew P (Friend of Resident) published on 10 December 2015
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My friend likes it at Blackbrook, the staff are friendly and there's activities every day. She likes the food and has a good view from her window. I think she would like a few trips out into the local area, possibly if they had a minibus to take them out.

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Review from Sarah (Daughter of Resident) published on 30 November 2015
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

It is always difficult to realise that someone you love can no longer cope on their own. Finding "Blackbrook" and, more importantly the staff who work there was a blessing. I cannot praise them high enough.

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Review from Debbie (Daughter of Resident) published on 30 November 2015
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Lovely welcoming home. Friendly compassionate staff. Clean with fresh flowers. Good understanding of individuals needs.

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Review from Douglas (Son of Resident) published on 30 November 2015
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Very welcoming reception by the manager on first visit to Blackbrook House Care. Lovely open and spacious communal rooms but good security. Excellent continuity of staff who are always friendly and my mother holds in high regard. The staff have a positive and encouraging "can do" attitude. My sister
has eaten meals with our mother. The meals were tasty and well presented. As a family we are always pleased to visit Blackbrook House Care where "Granny" is as happy as she could be.

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Review from V L (Daughter of Resident) published on 30 November 2015
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I think the home has everything to make you comfortable, you don't have to worry about anything. It is all done for you. I use the home from time to time and they are always there to help.

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Review from Elaine W (Niece of Resident) published on 23 November 2015
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Mu uncle is very happy to live at Blackbrook House, he likes the staff and enjoys his meals there. I find the staff approachable and friendly, always ready to answer any queries I have, which is great as I live in wales (five hours away by car)

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Current Review Score: 9.6 (9.625)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.6 (9.625) out of 10 for Blackbrook House is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 4.6 out of 5 from 25 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 25 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Care Home is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  • a) 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months.

    The Average Rating of 4.625 for Blackbrook House is calculated as follows: ( (199 Excellents x 5) + (85 Goods x 4) + (10 Satisfactorys x 3) + (2 Poors x 2) ) ÷ 296 Ratings = 4.625

  • b) 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5').

    The 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Blackbrook House is based on 25 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    • i) 4 points are available for the first 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 4

    • ii) 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the registered maximum number of service users in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Care Home registered for a maximum of 50 service users has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 55 registered maximum number of service users is 11, which has been reached with 25 Positive reviews. Points = 1

  • When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.

  • If a Care Home does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Regulatory Rating

Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating

Date: 18 Jan 2020

Overall
Good

  • Caring

    Good

  • Effective

    Good

  • Responsive

    Good

  • Safe

    Requires improvement

  • Well-led

    Good

Care Quality Commission is responsible for the registration and inspection of social care services in England.

View Latest Report

Bed Vacancies

2 Bed Vacancies

posted 21 Jul 2025

We currently have two vacancies for care. Please contact Blackbrook House directly for more details.

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Awards / Recognitions (13)

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