Each of our Homes provides a dedicated handbook for potential residents to look at pre-placement. The example below is a compilation of average content for our children’s guides.
- The home has three beds and is located in a quiet residential street
- The home has Wifi, which you may have access to with agreement from your Social Worker
Your arrival to the home
- Hopefully you would have had the opportunity to visit the home before you come to live here.
- You would be welcomed by the Manager and a member of the team.
- You will be shown around the house and to your room.
- An adult will help you settle in and unpack.
- You will then be taken through how to keep yourself safe should you hear a fire alarm.
The layout of the home Ground Floor
- Entrance Hallway
- Games room
- Downstairs Toilet
- Lounge
- Kitchen
- Office
Layout of home Up stairs
- 3 young people’s bedrooms
- 1 bedroom for adults
- Shower room with toilet
- Bathroom with toilet
Our commitment to you
- Safe relationships with adults
- Free from discrimination
- Provide opportunities to learn and grow
- Safe house to be yourself
- To listen and respect your views, wishes and feelings
What to expect
- We have a daily routine
- You will be allocated a key worker
- Adults will support you with appointments and meetings
- Weekly meetings to discuss how you are and plan the coming week
What we would like from you
- Not to swear
- Speak to others how you would like to be spoken to
- Be kind to everyone
- Tidy up after yourself
- Be respectful to others and the house
- No bullying
Our daily routine
- You will have an activity planner which will allow you to see what you have planned for the week.
- Be up and ready for your day, timings depending
House Meetings
- What activities you would like to do
- Meal planning and choices
- Education
- Discuss relationships in the home
- How your week has been
- Home improvements
- Health and Safety
- Cultural evenings (monthly)
- Equality and diversity
Things to do in the local area
- Cinema
- Shopping
- Beaches
- Leisure centres (swimming, gym)
- Local youth clubs
- Bike rides
- Free time (if agreed with Social Worker)
Example of activity planner
Your Key Worker
This is an adult in the home who will support you with the following;
- Booking health appointments
- Help you prepare and attend meetings with you
- Help you learn new life skills
-
They will talk to you about subjects such as;
school, family, how you are feeling and much, much more - You can approach any adult in the home should you need support
Keeping you safe
- Support from adults in the home
- Regular room checks to make sure that your room remains a safe place
- Test all electricals appliances once a year
- Monthly fire drills
- Regular talks with adults to see how you are
- Regular visits from your Social Worker
Seeing family and friends
- Your Social Worker will make us aware of any plans that are in place for telephone calls and visits
- We will support you with any feelings around upcoming telephone calls or visits
- We want to promote good relationships in your life
How much money will be allocated to me?
You will be allocated money in accordance with your age on a weekly basis. The table below is a guide to what you will receive weekly. Your savings will be given to you when you are 18. Pocket money is given on Saturday after cleaning your bedroom.
The home has Wi-Fi and this can be used by all in the home. As long as your Social Worker agrees that you can have access to the internet. You may also be able to have a mobile phone once agreed in your care plan. We do checks on the internet and devices used with in the home to ensure everyone is staying safe.
| Age | Pocket Money | Clothing Money | Savings | Chores | Incentives | Independence Money |
| 8-12 | £8 | £10 | £10 | Up to £3.50 | Up to £7 | x |
| 12-14 | £9 | £10 | £10 | Up to £3.50 | Up to £7 | x |
| 15-18 | £10 | £10 | £10 | Up to £3.50 | Up to £7 | £20 |
Advocacy
Every child and young person at Mulberry Court will receive support and guidance this may be through an Independent Advocate.
Advocacy – An Advocate is there to support your choices. For example, they can:
- Listen to your views and concerns.
- Help you explore your options and rights (without advising you in any particular direction).
- Give you information to help you make informed decisions.
- Help you contact relevant people, or contact them on your behalf.
- Accompany and support you in meetings or appointments.
- Please speak to an adult about accessing your advocate for support with anything you are unhappy about.
What to do if you are feeling sad or unhappy
We want everyone in the Home to feel safe, secure and happy. Sometimes for what ever reason there may be times when you may not feel happy or maybe don’t understand a decision that has been made. There may be something from your past, a problem at school or something within the Home. We always encourage you to talk with an adult in the Home about this first. Who can talk through this with you and help with any worries? We might need to talk to other people like a teacher or Social Worker to get the best outcomes for you.
How to Make a Complaint
Adults in the Home will help you to make a complaint if you feel unhappy about any of the care you have received. If you feel your rights have not been met you have the right to complain.
It may be helpful to try and resolve the matter by talking to your key workers, the management team or an adult you trust to try and solve any issues.
If you are still not happy with the outcome then we can give you a complaints form and this will then be given to management to be looked into.
All complaints will be taken seriously.
Complaints Procedure
You can ask an adult and they will provide you with a complaints form, these are kept in the office or in the complaints folder in the games room.
The complaints form will then be given to a manager to look into.
If your complaint is about a manager then the complaint will be dealt with by another person outside of the Home.
Management will talk to you to investigate your complaint.
Management will keep you informed while they investigate.
The management team will discuss ways to make things better for you and will clarify that you are happy with the outcome of the complaint.
