• Care Home
  • Care home

Archived: Mulberry Court Residential Home

Overall: Requires improvement read more about inspection ratings

62 Blagreaves Lane, Littleover, Derby, Derbyshire, DE23 1FL (01332) 776977

Provided and run by:
Mulberry Court Care Homes Limited

All Inspections

10 February 2015

During a routine inspection

This inspection took place on 10 February 2015 and was unannounced.

Mulberry Court Residential Home is a care home without nursing for up to 14 younger adults with mental health needs. The service is located in the Littleover area of Derby which has amenities and good transport links. At the time of our inspection there were 14 people in residence.

At our previous inspection in July 2013, the service was meeting the regulations that we checked.

A registered manager was in post. 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.

People who used the service told us they felt safe. Discussions with staff demonstrated that they understood how to look after people safely.

Staff felt there were sufficient available at the service. Some people felt that the staffing levels were not always adequate. The current staffing levels at the service were the same as when the service was not at full occupancy, the provider had not reviewed the staffing levels. Recruitment procedures ensured suitable staff were employed.

People received their medication as prescribed and their medication was stored safely.

Staff told us that they received training and regular updates which related to their roles

People were protected under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. Staff understood their role in supporting people to maintain control and make decisions which affected their daily lives.

Most people were positive about the staff and felt they were caring. People’s privacy and dignity was respected.

People had access to health care support to meet their individual needs.

People were supported to ensure links with community facilities were maintained that helped people who were preparing for independent living. Some people felt there was not enough for them to do within the service.

People were confident to raise any issues, concerns or to make complaints. The provider did not have a system to record complaints, to ensure that they were appropriately addressed.

Staff told us that they received supervision and support from the management team. They felt the manager was approachable and listened to concerns. Systems were in place to obtain feedback from people using the service. However some people felt that suggestions made by them were not always followed up.

9 July 2013

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We carried out this inspection to see if the provider had made improvements following our inspection in April 2013.

There were eight people living at the service at the time of our inspection visit. We spoke with five people at the service, two staff and we contacted two professionals by telephone following the inspection visit.

We found that significant changes had been made since the last inspection visit. The provider needs to sustain these, ensuring the health, safety and welfare of the people living at the service.

Appropriate mental health risk assessments were in place for people who used the service, to ensure that risks had been identified, and that measures were in place to minimise the risks and keep people safe.

Suitable arrangements were in place to protect people who used the service against the risk of abuse, and to ensure that staff were aware of their responsibilities under safeguarding procedures.

Recruitment procedures had been strengthened, to ensure that people would be cared for by suitable staff.

Training records showed that there had been substantial improvements in this area. All staff had received training in essential areas. This meant that staff were working to current practice, which ensured the safety of the people they supported.

Effective systems were in place to assess and monitor the quality of the service, and to identify and manage risks to people who used the service and others.

9 April 2013

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We carried out this inspection to see if the provider had made improvements following our inspection in January 2013, where we took enforcement action to protect the health, safety and welfare of people using the service. We did not speak to any of the people living at the service as part of this follow up inspection visit.

We found some improvements in people's care records which included essential information and provided a clear account of the care and treatment provided to each individual.

Risk assessments were in place for the majority of people using the service, to provide assurance that current risks have been identified, and that measures were in place to minimise risks.

This visit showed that the safeguarding policy had been updated in line with local procedures. However procedures did not ensure people who use the service were safeguarded against the risk of abuse, and that staff are aware of their responsibilities under safeguarding procedures.

Training information showed that some progress had been made in this area. Not all staff had received training in essential areas.

Recruitment procedures were still not robust this did not ensure that people were cared for by suitably qualifies skilled and experienced staff.

The provider did not have effective systems in place to assess and monitor the quality of service that people receive, and to identify and manage risks to the health, safety and welfare of people using the service and others.

8 January 2013

During a routine inspection

People we spoke with told us they were very happy with the support they received from the staff team, and felt that their needs were met. One person told us ''The staff are doing an excellent job; the care is excellent.' Another person told us 'It's alright living here; I spend my day doing what I want to do and the staff respect that.'

People said they felt safe living at the service, and able to report any concerns they may have to staff or the manager.

People received their medicines at the times they needed them. Systems had been put in place to ensure that people's medicines were managed appropriately.

We found that care records did not include all essential information and provide a clear account of the care and treatment provided to keep people safe.

People received care and support from regular staff who were aware of their needs and preferences. People liked the staff that supported them, and felt that staff had the skills to meet their needs. However, we found that not all staff were properly trained and supported to ensure they have the knowledge and skills to carry out their work.

The provider did not have effective systems in place to assess and monitor the quality of service that people receive, and to identify and manage risks to people using the service and others.

25 August and 1 September 2011

During an inspection looking at part of the service

The people we met who use the service were generally satisfied with the way they had their medicines. We heard one person ask a staff member to change the time of taking one of his medicines. He was told that no change could be made until a written direction was received from the doctor.

15 March 2011

During a routine inspection

People who live at the service told us they like living there, they feel well supported by kind and caring staff who encourage their independence.

Comments included;

'The staff treat you with respect, and they respect my dignity and privacy. I like being around people so I don't spend much time in my room, but if I do the staff always knock on the door before they come in.'

'I have no complaints whatsoever and I have no concerns.'

'The staff work well to make sure I get my blood taken on time, they talk to my social worker and they arrange appointments for me.'