Three Halstead care homes have been rated as “good” by the Care Quality Commission.

Brewery House, The Tidings and Bethany House, all in Brewery Drive, were inspected by the health watchdog on June 4 and the report was published on Friday.

Brewery House, which cares for two people with learning difficulties, scored an “outstanding” for how responsive it was, and good across all other criteria.

The report noted that residents were supported to go on holidays, take part in theatre productions and go to volunteer work.

Bethany House, which cares for one person with learning difficulties, was found to be “good” across all five criteria of being safe, effective, well-led, caring and responsive.

The report reads: “Staff were very caring and treated people respectfully making sure their dignity was maintained.

“There was a lot of laughter and joking which created a very relaxed atmosphere.

“Staff were positive about the job they did and enjoyed the relationships they had built with the person they were supporting and caring for. “ The Tidings, which cares for two people with learning difficulties, was found to “require improvement” in how it was led, The inspection found that some staff were working “excessive hours” but that staff were positive about their job.

It was rated as “good” overall, after achieving this standard in the other criteria, All three homes are run by Meadowview Care Limited.

Manager of all three homes, Angie Alwin, said: “I am over the moon with the reports, especially the outstanding.

“A lot of hard work and dedication went into them.”