The level of support and information we received at the annual review from Maroon House was very good. It is clear they care about the young person under their supervision. On my recent visit to Maroon House, I found it extremely clean and welcoming

- Rhiannon Dillon, SENCO at Melrose School

‘I've worked in many houses across England and Maroon house is by far one of the best I a great example to many other - flagship work!’

-Christian Douglas, Unique Talent Director

“I have been very impressed with the care and attention and support the staff at Maroon house has given the young people I work with. They are helpful and very polite, and the young people seem to respect them and enjoy living there.’

 The staff at Maroon House have communicated well with me throughout my time working with one of their young people. They have been proactive in setting up systems to ensure the student I teach is always kept out of danger. Whilst tutoring the student on site, I have always noticed the students have a clean home and access to food which ensures their welfare is taken care of and they are in a state where they are ready to learn.’

 -Hussein Hussein, CAPE Mentors

My young person has achieved placement stability and is being practically supported to access education, employment and training opportunities. Staff provide daily updates on his movements and engagement which is really helpful in understanding what actions they are taking to help reduce the risk of future missing episodes.’

-Sasha Dixon, Social worker

I have worked with Maroon House pretty much since they opened as my previous role was as the placement manager in Merton, so Maroon House was our most local residential provision.  During my time in Merton we referred a number of children to your service and several of them spent time living at Maroon House.  Over the years I have visited the home on a number of occasions and I have also placed children with you since I’ve been in post at Kensington and Chelsea/Westminster.  

 Firstly, I would like to say that the physical condition of the home is lovely and has been maintained to a high standard since the home opened.  It has a homely feel and does not feel institutional in any way.  I also really like the fact that all professionals meetings are conducted in the garden building so as not to impose on the children’s space or bring the formality of social care into their living environment.  I know during the earlier days of registration there was some disproval from local neighbours and that the team worked really hard to bring neighbours alongside so Maroon House could be accepted as part of the local community.  Staff had to work hard to dispel the myths that children’s homes were for children and young people who had done something wrong.  

 I have also been impressed with the hands on approach from both directors and their commitment to the children they work with as well as the commitment from the wider team, particularly the home managers Eileen and her predecessor Naiomi.   When there have been challenges with a child in the home, the team have been willing to work with the LA to try and resolve these rather than end the placement.  At times, we haven’t always initially agreed on the approach to manage certain challenges, but the team have been flexible and willing to work with us to try and find a suitable resolution.  We’ve been able to come up with some creative solutions to try and stabilise placements.  

 I think the one thing that strikes me about Maroon House is their ongoing commitment to supporting children and young people even after they’ve moved on from the home.  I believe they are still in contact with a couple of young men I placed there several years ago, I’m sure there are others as well.  This really fits with the ‘staying close’ agenda and sends young people the really important message that they are kept in mind and still thought of and cared about even long after they’ve moved on.  

 I also have confidence in their admission process as they’ve turned down quite a few referrals I’ve sent them in the past.  I’m assured that they are not in the business of just filling their vacancies and want to make sure that any child or young person coming to live in the home will be a good fit for the children already living there and that they feel able to meet identified need.  

 I had one young person in particular who was on a very worrying trajectory and who had multiple moves before going to live at Maroon House.  My director at the time said he would give it ‘six weeks’ but this young person stayed in placement for around two years, did not get involved in further offending and achieved some GCSEs.  This was above and beyond what had been expected.  Whilst it was not without it’s challenges at times, he considered Maroon House his home and developed some really great relationships with staff and I’m sure that the care and support he received will resonate with him well into adulthood.  He was supported by the team to move on to semi-independent living.  

 Having worked with numerous residential providers over the years, both as a social worker with children placed, and for the past six years in more of a commissioning context, I would say that Maroon House is certainly one of the better homes I have worked with, both in terms of the physical environment and the support from the staff team.  

 Please extend my thanks to the team for the support of the various children and young people that I’ve referred to the service over time.  

 Best wishes. 

-Cassie Pordage

 Transformation & Commissioning Placement Lead

‘When a young person was missing, the home-made great efforts in searching for the young person themselves, attempting ways in contacting him and kept all professionals informed of their effects. Very impressed with their commitment to young people.

- Leah McKane, Brent Commissioning officer

The staff at Maroon House have been very welcoming to me as a professional and have been keen to work systemically to best support the needs of the young person that I work with who lives at the home. They have consulted me for advice about how best to respond to her, as appropriate, and are always keen to develop a better shared understanding of her difficulties and to find positive approaches to engage and support her.’

-Lead Clinical Psychologist, Ealing Looked After Children's Services

‘I met the staff from Maroon house at an EHC annual review meeting for a young person. They had a very accurate view of the young person's needs and were professional and positive throughout.’

-Polly Warrington, Educational Psychologist

I just wanted to send a final email to reflect on my time with Children of the Mangrove. I have really enjoyed visiting the homes over these past couple of years. As you know I visit a range of homes both private and local authority managed. I can honestly say that there are aspects of your company which are unique. The ethical approach of the directors and senior management is very much to the fore across the whole company. The children really are put first unreservedly. This is reflected in the physical environment and in the dedication of the staff teams. Both of the registered managers are dedicated to the homes they manage to a degree which may never be recognised by Ofsted but which I know is appreciated throughout the company and by the children. The children are supported through positive relationships with staff, even those who have moved on frequently stay in contact and the work done to maintain relationships with family is second to none. These things cannot be taught. They reflect the whole ethos of the company and are solid guiding principles. We all know that there are admin issues to resolve and recruitment is an ongoing battle, (as it is across the country) but these system issues can and will be resolved. The addition of Sharon to the team has been a great piece of recruitment which reflects the directors drive to constantly improve the service.

I would just like to say that I hope that the company grows from its current size as more children need this level of care.

So good luck and cheerio.

- Peter Verity

Independent consultant and trainer

Young People Feedback

Children of the Mangrove is a place that every child needs and a family-like environment that caters for young people with a range of needs and cultures. They are very eager to learn so they are able to support the young person the best way they can. They fulfil a special space in the lives of those who have in the past have been neglected and lacked a loving and caring environment. I could not choose a family better than them even if I tried. They are always there for you through thick and thin, they do not leave your side when things get tough, they are going to believe and fight for and with you no matter what. No matter what, the young person comes first. They will put up a fight if you give up and you are feeling hopeless. When I lived there, I was the happiest I have ever been and I will come back to give back in one way or the other with the best staff team!! The staff are so hilarious and fun and caring and always there for you. If a child or young person you know is there, you do not have to worry.

- RRM