Bradbury House is a residential care service for older people located in a central location in Braintree. There were 19 people living at the service at the time of our inspection. The service is located in a historic building, which had been adapted and there was a lift between the two floors.

This inspection was carried out on the 25 and 30 October 2017. At the last inspection the service was rated ‘Good’ and at this inspection we found that the service remained ‘Good’.

There was a new registered manager in post, but they had worked at the service for many years in a number of different roles. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People spoke highly about the care they received and told us that they were safe and well looked after. Staff knew how to protect people from harm and where concerns were identified about individuals they were responded to appropriately.

Risks were assessed and steps put into place to reduce the risk of harm to individuals. Medicines were well organised and safely managed.

There was sufficient staff available to meet people’s needs. The service benefited from a stable staff team who knew people well. People expressed confidence in the knowledge and skills of staff. We saw that staff received an induction when they started work at the service and on going training to ensure that they were kept up to date with their knowledge and competent.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. The manager was aware of their legal responsibilities and had made the appropriate referrals to professionals for assessment when people lacked capacity and needed constant supervision to keep them safe.

People spoke positively about the meals and we saw that people had good access to drinks and snacks throughout the day. Staff worked with a range of community health professionals to promote people’s health.

Staff interacted with people in a warm and friendly manner. People spoke highly of staff and described them as attentive and kind. Staff communicated effectively and we saw that they worked well together to meet people’s needs. People were consulted about the care they received and were enabled to make decisions about how it was provided. Care was underpinned by care plans which provided information to staff about people’s care and support needs and preferences.

People had access to a range of interesting activities which promoted their wellbeing. There were clear arrangements in place to respond to concerns and ensure that they were addressed promptly.

People told us that the registered manager was visible and accessible and the service was well managed. Staff were motivated and well supported. The provider had clear arrangements in place to oversee the quality of care and drive on going improvements at the service.

We completed an unannounced inspection of Bradbury House on 26 August 2015. Bradbury House provides accommodation and personal care for up to 21 older people. At the time of our visit 19 people were resident. This care home is in the centre of the town and is a converted older building.

There was a registered manager in place and they were present on the day of our inspection. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

We found a care home that was well run for the benefit of the people who lived there. Everyone spoke highly of the service offered and felt appropriately cared for. People told us that their needs were assessed, they were involved with their care and were consulted about changes. People experienced good care with access to health care, social stimulation and liked the food on offer.

Staff had the skill to support people and were well trained. Staff felt supported by management and liked where they worked.

Management was open, inclusive and listened to people who used the service. There were good systems in place to monitor and respond to events that occurred and feedback from people was used to develop the service further.