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

Inspection report children’s home: SC060554 1 SC060554 Registered provider: Mulberry House Care Homes Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home provides care and accommodation for up to two young people who may have complex behaviours as a result of adverse childhood experiences. The home is owned and operated by a private organisation which has been under new ownership since December 2018.

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Information about this children’s home

The acting manager was appointed in July 2019. She has made an application to register with Ofsted.

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Inspection date: 18 December 2019

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

On 6 June 2019, a notice of decision was issued to refuse a request to vary the conditions of the home. The variation requested by the provider was to increase the number of children that the home could provide care for from two to three. The provider is currently appealing this decision. Inspection report children’s home: SC060554 2

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

When young people leave the home to live independently, they experience positive and well-planned moves. This is a consequence of the hard work of the staff in helping the young people to have the skills, knowledge and support they need to be successful in their future.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff help young people who are new to the home to settle in quickly. For example, staff acted on one young person’s interest in horses and arranged for the long-term loan of a horse. This provided the young person with an immediate sense of belonging and gave her a real incentive to engage with staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff use their relationships with young people to encourage them to attend school. One young person has recently completed their exams and is now looking into applying to join the army.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff assess and manage risk well. Risk assessments and behaviour support plans help to provide the staff with clear strategies on how to keep young people safe. Young people no longer go missing from home and risks of exploitation are significantly reduced. This has been achieved as a direct result of the staff, who have helped the young people to find positive experiences in their lives.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Improvements to the home environment now mean that young people live in a safe and well-maintained home. Because of this change, young people are proud of their home and like to have friends over for tea and to stay overnight.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, there has been a change of manager. The manager has applied to Ofsted to be the home’s next registered manager. At the time of the inspection, the manager’s application was still subject to review by Ofsted.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and the staff have worked hard to address the shortfalls identified at the last inspection. Of the seven requirements raised, six have been addressed. For example, there are now no staff vacancies and staff now have an appropriate mix of skills and experience. Staff have either completed the level 3 diploma in residential childcare or are working towards the award.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Improved monitoring by the manager, and a more organised approach to managing young people’s case records, means that all statutory documentation is available to staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff now receive regular supervisions and an annual appraisal of their performance. This has helped the staff to receive the support that they need to develop the skills Inspection report children’s home: SC060554 3 and knowledge required to look after young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have received ongoing training to help them to meet the young people’s needs. However, despite the provider naming anti-bullying or ‘Prevent’ training as part of their mandatory training courses, this training has not yet been offered to the staff. The impact of this shortfall in training is currently low. This is because both young people’s welfare is well managed, and staff have a good level of professional curiosity to identify any early signs of risk. Inspection report children’s home: SC060554 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/04/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 04/09/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 19/07/2017 Full Good 18/01/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC060554 5

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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 all employees undertake appropriate continuing professional development. (Regulation 33 (4)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person should ensure that training identified by the provider as mandatory, including anti-bullying and ‘Prevent’ training, is completed by all staff. 30/01/2020

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Information about this inspection

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.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, 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: SC060554 6

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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: Suite 1, Oakridge Business Centre, Weston Road, Stafford ST16 3RS

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Inspectors

Paul Robinson, Social Care Inspector Alison Cooper, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC060554 7 to 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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

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