Children's Home run by Mutual Care Limited in Devon

Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2591688 1

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Mutual Care Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is one of two homes that are privately operated by a small company. It is set in castle grounds, outside a city.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for two young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. At the time of the inspection, two young people lived in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager, who has 11 years’ experience of working in a registered manager position, has remained the manager of the home since it opened in May 2020.

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This monitoring visit

A monitoring visit was completed because this home has not been inspected since it opened, and to examine safeguarding notifications reported to Ofsted by the home.

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This monitoring visit

The visit took place remotely; the inspector undertook discussions with the young person and relevant professionals, reviewed relevant documentation and completed a live video tour of the home.

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This monitoring visit

The restrictions relating to COVID-19 (coronavirus) have had an impact on the young people in the home, particularly as one young person is very active and enjoys a number of activities. The manager and team have done their best to provide suitable alternatives to compensate for these restrictions and, as a result, the young people have managed well.

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This monitoring visit

Both young people have made progress in their home. They feel settled, safe and cared for. The young people have formed good relationships with the staff. They reach out to the staff for help when they need it, and receive a consistent response. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2591688 2 Staff enjoy looking after and caring for the young people, and feel proud of the young people’s achievements. Staff feel positive about the home and feel well supported and well supervised by their managers.

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This monitoring visit

Incidents do happen due to the complexity of the young people’s needs, but staff manage most of these effectively and without the need for any physical intervention. The management’s analysis and reflection after these incidents are a particular strength. Learning is shared and implemented, which improves the staff’s future responses. Supervision of staff is thorough and managers make clear to staff what the standards and expectations of performance are.

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This monitoring visit

Guidance and plans for young people are generally of good quality, but do omit some detail which potentially could affect the consistency of care. Records do not fully reflect one young person’s diagnosis, and its meaning and impact. Staff have not had training in caring for young people who have learning disabilities to help further develop their skills in this area.

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This monitoring visit

The home is comfortable and cosy and the young people value their environment. One young person said it made a big difference to him. Young people benefit from a lot of outdoor space and enjoy having a cat and chickens to look after. Both social workers described the home as having the feel of a family home, and are very happy with the care given. One social worker said, ‘Their approach is just what he needs.’

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Recent inspection history

N/A Inspection type Inspection judgement Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2591688 3

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff can access appropriate resources to support their training needs. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.11) In particular, consider reviewing staff training plans to include training in relation to the care of young people who have learning disabilities.  The registered person should ensure that personalised care is provided that takes into account the child’s gender, religion, ethnicity, cultural and linguistic background, sexual identity, mental health, any disability, their assessed needs, previous experiences and any relevant plans. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 14, paragraph 3.2) In particular, consider reviewing placement plans and behaviour support plans so that they include all of the relevant information and guidance, and enable the

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Recommendations

staff to continue providing consistent care of young people.

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Mutual Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 19 St Marys Road, Portishead, Bristol, Somerset BS20 6QP

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Inspector

Sarah Canto, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2591688 4 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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