Dimensions The Mulberries

On this page

• Overview
• Shared direction and culture
• Capable, compassionate and inclusive leaders
• Freedom to speak up
• Workforce equality, diversity and inclusion
• Governance, management and sustainability
• Partnerships and communities
• Learning, improvement and innovation

There was a positive and inclusive culture. People using the service and staff were valued and able to contribute to organisational developments. The registered manager was experienced. Staff found them supportive. There were systems for auditing and checking the quality of the service. These were effectively operated. The provider could demonstrate they made improvements in response to their own audits and feedback from others.

This service scored 75 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

Staff told us they felt well supported. They understood the aims and values of the organisation and had opportunities to discuss these as a team. Staff told us they thought there had been improvements at the service in the last year.

There were regular staff meetings. These included updates about the service, opportunities to hear feedback from staff and for them to learning. The provider had recently held a ''listening event'' where people using the service and staff fed back about their experiences of the service and areas where they felt improvements were needed.

Staff told us they thought the registered manager was a good leader. They said the registered manager had made improvements and provided them with guidance and support.

The registered manager was suitably experienced and qualified?. They were supported by senior managers within the organisation.

Staff told us they knew how to speak up and felt confident and able to do this.

The provider had procedures for staff to speak up and share concerns.

Staff told us they were well treated and provided with support they needed, such as time off work and opportunities to progress in their career.

The provider had processes to ensure there was workforce equality and support.

Staff told us they carried out checks and audits of the service.

There were effective systems for monitoring and improving the quality of care and support. The staff and managers were involved in ensuring checks were completed and action was taken when problems were identified. The provider had a good overview of the service and worked closely with the registered manager to monitor this. The provider had recently updated record keeping systems. There was a plan to transfer all records to electronic systems. The provider had systems where people using their services were involved in quality checking other care homes and services. This helped to make sure people using the service were represented in the governance oversight.

The provider organised events for people to spend time with families and friends. Following a recent party, 1 person had told the registered manager, ''The atmosphere was so relaxed, and everyone enjoyed themselves. It was lovely meeting old and new friends and staff again.''

The staff told us they were organising a coffee morning at the service to raise money for charity.

An external professional told us they worked well with the staff. They said they had carried out training with staff and the registered manager had been involved with this too. They said the trainers had been welcomed and their support was appreciated. Their comments included, ''The home is very willing to take on new ideas and have a go. The home also welcomed another service user plus carer from another service provider, so that they could benefit from the group.''

The provider had accessed specialist training for people and staff from the local speech and language therapy team. This had involved an 8-week course where they learnt ways to improve communication and engagement. The provider was also involved in a local university research project helping to understand about the social lives of people with profound learning disabilities.

The registered manager told us they worked with other managers and professionals to learn about best practice and changes in legislation and guidance.

The organisation had a range of policies and procedures which reflected good practice. There were regular team meetings for staff at the service and managers to discuss improvements and look at ways to develop the service.