Marlborough House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. Marlborough House is a residential care home registered to provide support to 12 people with a learning disability. At the time of inspection on 18 January 2018 there were 12 people using the service.

At the last inspection on 17 July 2015 the service was rated good overall. At this comprehensive inspection we found that the service remains good.

The service was meeting the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS.) People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People told us they felt safe living in the service and that staff helped them to keep safe. Risks to people were appropriately planned for and managed. Medicines were stored, managed and administered safely.

Checks were carried out to ensure that the environment and equipment remained safe. There were risk assessments in place around reducing the risks to people when they are in their home. Plans were in place to learn from an incident at another service and make the environment safer. The service was clean and measures were in place to limit the risk of the spread of infection.

People told us there were enough staff to help them when they needed it and to spend time with them. Staff told us they felt the staffing level was sufficient but said new staff were being recruited to support the service at weekends.

Staff had received appropriate training and support to carry out their role effectively. Staff received appropriate supervision which helped them develop in their role. People received appropriate support to maintain healthy nutrition and hydration.

People told us staff were nice to them and respected their right to privacy. We observed that staff supported people to remain independent and staff had knowledge of why this was important.

People received personalised care that met their individual needs and preferences. People told us they were actively involved in the planning of their care. People told us they were supported to access meaningful activities and follow their individual interests.

The home was decorated in a way which helped people find their way to key areas such as the bathroom and their bedroom. There were ample sources of engagement available for people to access independently.

The registered manager created a culture of openness and transparency within the service. Staff told us that the registered manager was visible and led by example. People told us they liked the registered manager and that they were kind to them. Our observations of the relationship between people and the registered manager supported this. People told us they knew how to complain if they weren’t happy.

There was a robust quality assurance system in place and shortfalls identified were promptly acted on to improve the service. There were plans in place to develop the service, care plans and the knowledge and skills of the staff team. Plans were in place to meet people’s requests for changes to the décor and activities available. People were being consulted about holidays they would like to take in 2018.

The service worked well with other agencies such as Suffolk County Council to ensure they stayed up to date with the latest policies, procedures and best practice.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.