Children's Home run by Mulberry House Care Homes Limited in Staffordshire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness . At the last full inspection in June 2016, the home was judged good. The requirements and recommendation raised at the time have all been met. There are no requirements or recommendations raised at this inspection. The manager has taken action to improve supervision for agency staff. Agency staff now have regular supervision with a manager, so their practice and performance are continually evaluated. Additionally, the manager now signs off the physical intervention log within 24 hours of an incident. As a result, the manager is able to evaluate the record quickly to ensure that it is appropriate and correct. Young people now have suitable furniture in their bedrooms as stated in the home’s statement of purpose. Since the last inspection, there have been changes to the management

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

arrangements. The registered manager ceased to manage the home in September 2016. A new manager was appointed in July 2016 to cover the post while the registered manager was absent. The new manager has since applied to register with Ofsted and is awaiting registration. The staffing levels have improved. Three staff have been safely recruited. As a result, the home now has permanent staff and is less reliant on the use of agency staff. This is helping young people to receive good continuity of care. One young person has become resident at the home and two young people have left since the last inspection. One young person moved on from the home after successfully securing a place at university. The staff worked exceptionally closely with her to make sure that she moved in a planned and sensitive manner. Two new young people have had planned placements and been welcomed into the home. Unfortunately, one placement has since ended on the grounds of safeguarding.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager acted appropriately in negotiating alternative arrangements when the placement was no longer able to meet the young person’s needs. Staff have a clear understanding about keeping young people safe. They engage young people with external services to help them to manage their mental health, drug or alcohol related issues. Although at times young people refuse to engage with the services offered, staff continue to promote the services and reassure young people that they can access them at any time. A staff member said, ‘She refused to engage with any other services. Staff still went to the meetings, although she chose not to engage. The service said they would be available to help if she required them.’ Staff address bullying when it occurs. Young people have the opportunity to talk about their feelings and the impact of others’ behaviour on them living in the home, through key-work meetings. As a result, young people feel safe because

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

bullying behaviour is not tolerated and any signs of it are addressed immediately. The staff do their utmost to protect young people from harm. A social worker commented about a young person and said, ‘He has really settled down. No missing from care for a long time now. No violent attacks on staff.’ A parent also felt that her son was safe living at the home and said, ‘There are no problems with the placement. The staff work well with me and they always call to discuss any concerns. We are both working in partnership to encourage his independence skills. Sometimes this is a losing battle, but they never give up.’ The manager continues to work in partnership with external professionals. As a result, young people are provided with good, effective services. Following the discharge of a young person under difficult circumstances, the local authority wrote a compliment to the manager and said, ‘It is very refreshing to see that you and

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

your staff went the extra mile in supporting us and our young person despite the many obstacles.’ A social worker also commented, ‘They work really well with him. I have no concerns. The manager and staff work really well with myself [sic].’

p.3

Information about this children’s home

The home provides care and accommodation for up to two young people who have emotional and behavioural difficulties. This home is owned and operated by a private organisation.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

Recent inspection history

18/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

p.4

Recent inspection history

12/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.4

What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the ‘Inspection of children’s homes: framework for inspection’.

p.5

Information about this inspection

Inspectors looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children’s home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference that adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other, and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Whenever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition, the inspectors tried to understand what the children’s home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people whom it is trying to help, protect and look after. This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

p.5

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. the guidance ‘Raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.5

Information about this inspection

achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work- based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for children looked after and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team,

p.6

Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.6

Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Information about this inspection

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

p.6