Mulberry Tree House (previously Rainbow House) is attached to Charlton Park Academy and is a homely purpose built provision to accommodate up to 10 special needs children/young people.
Accommodation
Accommodation consists of 2 rooms with 2 beds and 2 rooms with up to 3 beds. All rooms have ensuite facilities, height adjustable beds, overhead hoists, a television, computer and dvd/cd player. Some of the bedrooms have sensory equipment. These are adapted with equipment to meet requirements of individuals.
Additional facilities include: a conservatory, lounge, dining area, kitchen, office, laundry and patio/sensory garden.
We have a large plasma screen television with a DVD player, Playstation and Nintendo Wii games console, videos, DVDs, iPad, computer, books, story tapes and various games plus environmental control equipment in the lounge area.
We offer a wide range of activities and have links with our local community. We also work closely with school staff and professionals to promote the best possible care and make full use of school resources like the gym, ICT suite, bikes, sensory room, hydrotherapy, counsellors and specialist staff and
programmes.
Daily Routine
Example of Daily Routine – Approximately between:
(Times and routines are designed around the individual needs, life skills and desires of the young person)
| 06:45 – 08:00 | Wake/Personal Care. |
| 08:15 – 09:00 | Breakfast in Mulberry Tree House. |
| 09:10 | Ready to go up to school. |
| 09:15 | Classes start. |
| 15:00 – 17:00/17:30 | Return from school, handover is given and we have refreshments. Staff help us with personal care if needed. We can then either initiate or join an activity. |
| 17:00/17:30 – 18:00/18:30 | We all have our tea in Mulberry Tree House together, it’s a real social occasion. |
| 18:00/18:30 – 21:30 | We either go to a club, trip out or activity in Mulberry Tree House until bedtime. Lights go out 21.00 – 21.30. (Individualised) |
| 21:00 – 07:30 | We are checked ¼, ½ or 1 hourly dependent on our needs and night staff listen out over the intercom. We are changed, turned, reassured or given medication as required. Plus, we are monitored by CCTV if need required/identified through risk assessment and individually approved. |
Eating and Drinking
We aim to accommodate the dietary requirements of all the children/young people and staff in Mulberry Tree House, whether it is for religious, disability or personal reasons.
We promote healthy eating and advice is taken from the dietician and support from the Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) team on eating and drinking programmes.
Children/young people participate in planning weekly menus, shopping and developing their own food preparation skills. There are a number of choices for breakfast and drinks and snacks are always available upon request. (Sample menu below).
Organised Activities
We arrange trips to bowling, shopping, theatre and cinema, sensory activities, meals out, concerts, local parks, ice-skating, football and we make good use of our local community.
We also celebrate the children’s birthdays and other festivals such as Chinese New Year and Christmas. We follow independence programmes using equipment like walkers/standing frames/bikes and work on independence and life skills activities.
We aim to personlise the offer with each individuals key motivations, likes and interests. Indoor activities may include arts and crafts, sensory, cookery, movie night, ball games and again what is the particular interest of the individual. We have some students who are involved with community organisations and attend events and meetings.
| Monday | 18:00 – 19:30 Scouts |
| Tuesday | Trip out or indoor activity |
| Wednesday | 15:30 – 16:30 Trip Out or indoor activity |
| Thursday | Trip out. Children/young people’s weekly meetingis flexible to include as many young people as possible. |
Safety
Safety is of utmost importance in Mulberry Tree House. We ensure the safety of the children, staff and visitors by a number of policies and procedures and practices, some of which include:
- Having regular fire practices.
- Following fire procedures.
- Visitors signing in and out.
- Staff DBS checks.
- Weekly sling and hoist checks.
- Generic and individual risk assessments.
- Following all the Environmental Health procedures.
Visiting and Contact
Parents/Carers are free to visit Mulberry Tree House at any time, but we prefer to know in advance in case your child is out or at a club.
We can then suggest an alternative time. All visitors will be asked to sign in and out for fire regulations and child protection.
If you will be visiting during mealtime you are welcome to eat with us but we need to know in advance so we can adjust the number of meals needed. Parent/Carers can telephone/Skype at any time to either speak to their child or a member of staff.
See below for our current visitor policy concerning Covid 19.
What to do if things go wrong
We encourage all the students and parents/carers to tell us if something is wrong. It is best if they can go straight to the person concerned. If they are not happy doing this or they are not happy with their reply they can go to either:
- Jackie Fletcher, Senior Care Worker
- Mark Dale-Emberton
- Kathryn Stowell or medical staff
- a counsellor
- or Mostyn Lewis, the Mulberry Tree House Governor.
- Children’s Commissioner email: info.request@childrenscommissioner.gsi.gov.uk
FREEPHONE: 020 7783 8330
Website: www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk | Twitter: @ChildrensComm
The following helplines can also be contacted:
- Childline: 0800 1111
- NSPCC Helpline: 0800 800 5000
- NSPCC (Asian Helpline) 0800 096 7719
- Get Connected: 0808 808 4994
- Runaway Helpline: 0808 800 70 70
- Samaritans: 08457 909090
- Dial UK (Disability Information and Advice Line): 01302 310123
- Disabled Living Foundation Helpline: 0845 130 9177
