Merle Boddy House, Dereham
CQC Inspection Breakdown
| Safe | Inadequate |
| Effective | Inadequate |
| Caring | Inadequate |
| Responsive | Inadequate |
| Well-led | Inadequate |
About Merle Boddy House
We completed assessment visits to Merle Boddy House on 22 and 24 October 2024. This is a service for people with a learning disability and autistic people, 8 people were living at the service. People did not receive personalised care and were not protected from the risk of harm and abuse. People’s individual risk histories were not well managed or reflected in their care records, with a lack of mitigation in place.
Source: CQC inspection report
Specialisms
About Merle Boddy House
Merle Boddy House is a residential care home in the heart of Dereham, Norfolk, providing a supportive environment for those who need it most. The home is operated by Mid-Norfolk Mencap and can accommodate up to 10 residents. Following their most recent inspection on 29/01/2025, the Care Quality Commission rated Merle Boddy House as Inadequate. Across the five inspection categories, the home scored Inadequate for Safe and Effective and Caring and Responsive and Well-led. The home caters to a range of care needs, including caring for adults under 65 yrs, learning disabilities and caring for adults over 65 yrs. The service supports learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder, older people, younger adults. The NR20 postcode area has 12 registered care homes with a combined 379 beds — so there are options to compare in the local area.
Finding the right care home is a deeply personal decision, and we hope this information helps you and your family feel more confident as you explore your options. Every person deserves care that respects their individuality, and the right home will feel welcoming from the moment you walk through the door.
Merle Boddy House is one of the care homes in Norfolk — a local authority with 325 CQC-registered homes, 202 of which are rated Good or Outstanding.
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Further Reading & Official Sources
- Official CQC inspection report for Merle Boddy House
- View Merle Boddy House on Google Maps
- NHS care home finder near NR20 3AX
We link to official and independent sources so families can verify the information on this page.
What to Expect When Visiting
When visiting a residential care home, pay attention to the atmosphere as much as the facilities. The best homes feel warm, unhurried, and genuinely caring — like a place where your loved one could feel at home.
- Try to visit at different times of day, including mealtimes, to see the home in action.
- Speak with staff and, if possible, current residents or their families about their experience.
- Ask how the home supports residents who may need nursing care in the future.
- Look at the communal spaces — do they feel welcoming, clean, and well-used?
Questions to Ask When Visiting
It can be hard to know what to ask during a care home visit. Here are some questions tailored to Merle Boddy House's type of care that may help guide your conversation:
- 1 What happens if a resident's care needs increase beyond what you can provide?
- 2 How do you support residents to stay active and connected to their community?
- 3 Can residents personalise their rooms with their own furniture and belongings?
- 4 What does a typical day look like for someone living here?
For a more complete checklist, see our guide to choosing a care home.
Official CQC Inspection Report
The Care Quality Commission last inspected Merle Boddy House on 29/01/2025 and rated it Inadequate. The full report includes detailed findings on safety, staffing, and quality of care.
Read the full CQC reportWhat families typically look for
- - How friendly and attentive the care staff are day-to-day
- - What activities and social events are available for residents
- - How the home handles changing care needs over time
These reflect common priorities we see from families researching care homes. For personalised advice, we recommend visiting in person and speaking to current families.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if a resident's care needs increase beyond what you can provide?
CQC rated Merle Boddy House as Inadequate for Responsive care on 29/01/2025, which includes how the home adapts to residents' changing needs. Ask what the home's protocol is when a resident needs a higher level of nursing care — whether they support a managed transition or have partnerships with local nursing homes.
How do you support residents to stay active and connected to their community?
CQC rated Merle Boddy House as Inadequate for Caring on 29/01/2025. This domain covers how staff support residents' emotional wellbeing, social connection, and sense of purpose. During your visit, ask to see the activities timetable and speak with current residents or their families about daily life.
Can residents personalise their rooms with their own furniture and belongings?
Most residential care homes encourage residents to bring personal furniture and belongings to make their room feel like home. When visiting Merle Boddy House, ask about room sizes, any restrictions on furniture, and whether residents can hang pictures and decorate their space as they wish. A personalised room can make a significant difference to a resident's sense of comfort and identity.
What does a typical day look like for someone living here?
With 10 residents and care tailored to caring for adults under 65 yrs, daily routines at Merle Boddy House will be shaped around individual needs. During your visit, observe the lunchtime atmosphere, ask about morning routines and whether residents have flexibility around wake-up times and meal choices, and check what a typical afternoon looks like.
What is the CQC rating for Merle Boddy House?
Merle Boddy House in Dereham is rated Inadequate by the Care Quality Commission. The most recent inspection was on 29/01/2025. The home has 10 beds.
How many beds does Merle Boddy House have?
Merle Boddy House has 10 beds and operates as a residential care home in Dereham.
Location
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Other Care Homes in NR20
Similar Caring for adults under 65 yrs homes
- Hebburn Manor Hebburn · Good
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- Puddingstone Grange London · Good
Data from the Care Quality Commission, last updated March 2026. View on CQC website → How we use this data