Mulberry House

Mulberry House provides accommodation for up to 5 adults with a learning disability. At the time of our visit there were 5 people living at the home. People in care homes receive accommodation and personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

A manager was in post. They had started working in Mulberry House in May 2018. Appropriate documentation had been submitted to the Care Quality Commission in respect of them becoming the registered manager of Mulberry House. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are 'registered persons'. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen. This was the vision of the Trust, the manager and staff working at Mulberry House. People were very much part of their local community and care was tailored to the person.

People were safe. There were sufficient numbers of staff to meet people's needs and to spend time socialising with them. Risk assessments were carried out to enable people to receive care with minimum risk to themselves or others. People received their medicines safely.

People were protected from the risk of abuse because there were clear procedures in place to recognise and respond to abuse and staff had been trained in how to follow the procedures. Systems were in place to ensure people were safe including risk management, checks on the equipment, fire systems and safe recruitment processes.

People received effective care because staff had the skills and knowledge required to effectively support them. People's healthcare needs were monitored by the staff. Other health and social care professionals were involved in the care and support of the people living at Mulberry House.

People were treated in a dignified, caring manner, which demonstrated that their rights were protected. Where people lacked the capacity to make choices and decisions, staff ensured people's rights were

protected by involving relatives or other professionals in the decision making process. Staff recognised the importance of effective communication enabling them to respond to people in a person centred way. This was very important as the people living in Mulberry House used non-verbal communication.

The home provided a caring service to people. People, or their representatives, were involved in decisions about the care and support they received. Staff were knowledgeable about the people they supported and very committed to providing care that was tailored to the person. People were treated with kindness and compassion.

People received a very responsive service. Care and support was personalised and person led. People were supported to take part in a variety of activities and trips out based on their interests and aspirations. People were involved and included in the running of the home. People were actively engaged in looking after their home and meal preparation.

The home was well-led. The manager and provider had monitoring systems, which enabled them to identify good practices and areas of improvement. It was evident they strived to provide the best experience for people and developing care that was tailored to the person.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found