Working at Merchant House
45 Alma Road, Plymouth, PL3 4HE
Operated by Darbyshire Care Limited
19 bedsResidential homes
Workplace Score
6.6/10
AI analysis of latest data
Our AI workplace review
PlainSight AI Review
Last updated: 10 February 2026
Score: 6.6/10
Key Finding
"Supportive approachable management and high staff morale create a positive culture, but limited activities and basic training hold it back."
Safety & Risk
8/10
✓
Staff had a good understanding of abuse... The registered manager regularly assessed risks associated with people's care and well-being... Accidents and incidents were recorded and reviewed... to identify any learning.
Staff Culture
8/10
✓
Staff told us, and we observed morale was high. Comments included 'It's friendly has a happy atmosphere like a big family'.
Staffing Levels
6/10
✓
People, staff and relatives told us there were enough staff to meet people's needs. Comments included 'There's always someone round to keep an eye on us', 'There's more than enough staff, we don't want for anything' and 'There's always enough staff here'.
Training & Dev
5/10
!
Staff received regular safeguarding training and updates. Staff had been trained in administering medicines and their competence regularly checked.
Management
8/10
✓
Staff told us the management team were approachable and supportive. One staff member told us '(Registered Manager) is absolutely brilliant, I can go to him with anything, he is approachable. He's the best boss I've ever had'.
Programmes
3/10
✕
Per 2019 comprehensive inspection: Relatives, people and staff told us there had been an improvement in the level of activity... singers that came in to the service... one person liked gardening and had worked with staff to plant some seeds. Another person had been provided with some models to build.
Points to consider
Few basic activities like singers or gardening in past inspection, no sign of a regular programme or coordinator to vary the work beyond personal care.
Per 2019 comprehensive inspection: The service had started to provide more activities and entertainment for people. People told us they enjoyed the singers... gardening... models to build.
Only standard training on safeguarding and medication, no specialist courses or funded qualifications for career growth.
Staff received regular safeguarding training and updates. Staff had been trained in administering medicines and their competence regularly checked.
Staff numbers are sufficient with time to chat, but no details on team stability, agency use or proactive hiring.
People, staff and relatives told us there were enough staff to meet people's needs... we observed staff having time to chat with people.
AI Generated
CQC Inspection Overview
CQC Inspection
Last inspected: December 2022
Good
Safe
✓
Good
Effective
✓
Good
Caring
✓
Good
Responsive
✓
Good
Management Quality
Well-led: Good
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- Care Quality Commission (CQC) Inspection Data
- PlainSight staff reviews