Children's home run by Mulberry House Care Homes Limited in Stafford

Inspection report children‟s home: SC038973 1 SC038973 Registered provider: Mulberry House Care Homes Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides care and accommodation for one young person who has emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is one of four homes that are run by a private provider.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children‟s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: Declined in effectiveness

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Enforcement action since last inspection

None Inspection report children‟s home: SC038973 2

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Key findings from this inspection

 The young person has aspirations for his future. He is motivated and driven by the staff‟s enthusiasm for him to succeed.  Effective care planning helps the young person to prepare for semi-independent living.  The young person feels safe and is protected from harm. Incidents of physical intervention are rare.  Communication with external professionals is good. Partnership working is effective.  The young person‟s behaviour has improved. Incidents when he goes missing are minimal.  The manager and staff team are dedicated and are passionate about the care they provide.

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Key findings from this inspection

The children‟s home‟s areas for development:

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Key findings from this inspection

 The manager does not routinely record interviews with staff when they have been involved in the use of physical intervention.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04/01/2017 Interim Declined in effectiveness 20/06/2016 Full Good 05/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 27/07/2015 Full Good Inspection report children‟s home: SC038973 3

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Children‟s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the „Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so („the authorised person‟), has spoken to the user about the measure. (Regulation 35(3)(b)(i)) 31/07/2017

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The young person has lived in the home since September 2015. His placement nearly ended towards the end of last year due to his behaviour. However, the young person worked hard to turn his behaviour around which enabled him to remain at the home. This improvement was due to the positive attitude and commitment from the staff. As a result, the young person is happy and has gained maturity from his experiences. A social worker said, „Staff really stuck by him when he was having difficulties.‟ Relationships between the young person and staff are built on trust and respect. The young person said, „I get on really well with the staff. Anything I ask of them they will do for me. They have really made a difference to my life. When I look back to what I was like last year I think “what was the point of that?”‟ Staff say the young person is kind and considerate and is always willing to go out of his way for them. The deputy manager

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

said, „He will make me breakfast when he is making his and always asks if I would like a drink.‟ The young person is in good health. He attends routine appointments and takes responsibility for maintaining his well-being. For example, he focuses on trying to give up smoking, taking care of his sexual health, reducing his recreational drug use and engaging with external health professionals. Since the last full inspection in June 2016, the young person has engaged in further education by completing courses. He has gained work experience and has secured an apprenticeship with a construction company. A consultant for the company said, „We have offered him an apprenticeship. He has attended the interview and is waiting for his start date. There were only two places but, based on how he got on last year during work experience, this has enabled us to offer him a place.‟ Although, at times, the young Inspection report children‟s home: SC038973 4

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

person has compromised his previous work placements by not turning up on time, his ability to turn his negative behaviour around has helped him to gain future opportunities. The young person has high aspirations for himself. He explained, „I want to get a good job so that I can get a nice house and a car.‟ Staff support the young person to stay in touch with his friends and family. The young person spends most of his free time in the community with friends and visits family daily. Overnight stays enable the young person to spend valuable time with his dad. A parent said, „He has been keeping out of trouble and over the last eight months things have settled down. He comes to see me on a daily basis and has overnight stays.‟ The young person is soon to leave care and move into semi-independent accommodation. The staff have worked closely with the young person to support him to develop important life skills. He takes regular driving lessons. As a result, he is prepared

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

and ready to leave the home. During the young person‟s review, the social worker confirmed that a flat had been identified. Staff commented that the young person was already making plans about how his flat was going to look and a shopping trip had been planned to purchase items. Staff provide ample opportunities to help the young person have his say. This happens on a daily basis, for example during one-to-one time, when in the car, during meal times or when relaxing in the home. As a result, the young person is confident in raising any issues that are on his mind. He recently called a meeting to discuss his wish to see his family. This demonstrates how far he has come in respect of his confidence to challenge decisions. The manager said, „He has come such a long way. We are proud of him.‟ The young person takes pride in the home. Improvements to the home‟s decor have helped to ensure that the home is well kept and welcoming. The young person has

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

invested time and energy into building a planting area in the garden. As a result, he has grown vegetables, such as potatoes, spring onions and carrots.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The young person feels safe and is protected from harm. The staff go above and beyond to support the young person through difficult times. The young person said, „Things have really changed. I was getting into loads of trouble. The staff always support me and want what is best for me. The staff have really helped me.‟ Incidents involving the police have significantly reduced over the last six months. A staff member said, „When he has been in trouble with the police, staff have pointed out the error of his ways. He has remorse for his actions and has reflected and realised he shouldn‟t have done things.‟ The young person complies with his youth offending order and, as a result, it has now reduced to one appointment per month. The youth offending officer said, „He has done well and is completing the work. He is one of the few children I have heard say they are happy to be in the care system and that he really likes it.‟

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The young person‟s behaviour has changed dramatically. He no longer engages in anti- social behaviour because he is making better choices about who he associates with. A staff member said, „His friendship circle has changed. He has no undesirable contacts and there has been no criminal activity for a while.‟ As a result, he is safe and protected Inspection report children‟s home: SC038973 5 from harm. There has been no complaints since the last full inspection. The young person knows how to complain and has access to an independent advocate. The staff acted on behalf of the young person when he wanted to make a complaint to his bank about an unplanned overdraft. As a result, the overdraft was removed along with any debt owed. This helped the young person to regain his confidence in managing his finances. The young person manages his behaviour better because he has learned how to deal with his emotions. On two occasions, staff have had to use low-level restraint to keep

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

the young person safe. The young person commented about the incident and said, „I am glad the staff was there because, if he was not, I would have done something stupid. He kept me safe.‟ Records do not show that staff are able to reflect on and discuss incidents involving physical restraint. The young person does not go missing from care. However, at times, he has not returned to the home at the time agreed. When this happens, staff record him as „absent without authority‟. Staff keep in touch with him by mobile phone to ensure that he is safe and well. A staff member said, „When he has not returned on time, we call him and he does answer the phone. He is never rude to us and does keep in touch.‟ „Safe and well checks‟ are completed to make sure he is safe. The manager agreed to reduce the amount of visual checks the staff were completing when the young person was away from the home. This demonstrates the trust that staff have in him. As a result, he is

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

returning to the home on time. Staff positively promote appropriate behaviour. Firm but fair boundaries are in place. This helps to remind the young person that rules do apply. The manager implements bedroom searches when there are suspicions that the young person may have misused substances. The young person is consulted with and present during any search. This keeps the young person safe. Any paraphernalia removed is handed into the police. The staff work hard with the young person to reflect on his actions through discussions in key working meetings and daily discussions. This helps him to stay focused and not fall back into old habits that place him at risk. Praise and rewards are often given to reward positive behaviour. Staff give verbal praise all the time and, when they recognise achievements, they provide rewards such as a visit to a local coffee shop. As a result, the young person‟s behaviour is more socially acceptable.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The environment is well maintained and kept free of hazards. Regular health and safety monitoring checks are completed by staff. This ensures that any defects are reported and resolved in a timely manner. There are robust fire procedures in place to evacuate anyone living, working or visiting the home safely. The young person and staff take part in routine fire drills to ensure that they are aware of the fire procedures.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home has been without a registered manager since the manager resigned on 6 March 2017. The director of care is currently managing the home and is in the process of applying to register. She is suitably qualified and holds a level 4 vocational qualification in the care of children and young people. She plans to undertake the level 5 Inspection report children‟s home: SC038973 6 diploma in leadership and management. A dedicated deputy and a skilled, knowledgeable and qualified work force support the manager. There are plans in place to ensure that any staff that have not yet completed the required level 3 diploma (or a suitable equivalent) achieve this within the necessary timescales. The staff understand the aims and objectives outlined in the home‟s statement of purpose. They are pro-active in implementing the values and ethos. This ensures that they provide a high level of care. As a result, the outcomes for the young person

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

improve. The manager and the staff continue to seek improvement through continuous monitoring and evaluation of the service. For example, regular monitoring by the independent person supports the manager‟s „quality of care review‟. These processes help to identify strengths and areas for development and provide a clear view of how the home will continue to succeed. The support that staff receive from the management team is excellent. Staff feel valued and speak highly of the manager and deputy. The staff team has remained stable with no new staff being employed since the last full inspection. This helps to provide good continuity of care to the young person. A staff member said, „The change in management has made a vast improvement to the team. She encourages the team to make a difference. She comes in with a jolly and buzzing manner.‟ Staff are trained, supervised and appraised well. This ensures that staff receive valuable

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

input and supports their professional development. Staff say the manager is approachable and is always available to talk to. A staff member said, „It feels a lot better. I feel comfortable with the leadership. It is focused on the needs of the young person.‟ Staff and external professionals speak highly of the management team. They see the impact of the consistent approach and the positive effect managers have on the young person. A social worker said, „Communication is much better. There are lots of meetings and I have regular updates.‟ This ensures that communication and information sharing is kept fluid and transparent. As a result, children and young people continue to be supported by relevant services. The manager has addressed the requirements made at the last inspection. The social worker is now updated when significant events occur. Risk assessments are reviewed when required. Agency staff have not worked alone at night. Records of the young

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

person‟s finances now record appropriately all monies held. Inspection report children‟s home: SC038973 7

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and young people and their families. In addition, the inspectors have 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 who it is trying to help, protect and look after.

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Information about this inspection

Using the „Social care common inspection framework‟, this inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, 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‟. Inspection report children‟s home: SC038973 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Mulberry House Care Homes Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Tollgate Business Centre, Tollgate Drive, Stafford, Staffordshire ST16 3HS

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Inspector

Michelle Spruce, social care inspector Inspection report children‟s home: SC038973 9 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, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children‟s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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