CARE inspectors continue to be “very concerned” about aspects of the care being provided by Dumfries and Galloway Council’s fostering service.
Assessors from the Care Inspectorate made a short notice visit to the service last month.
They delivered an ‘unsatisfactory’ level of care rating for how it supports people’s wellbeing.
Inspectors said: “There was not always clarity that the service had fulfilled their responsibilities, or consistently followed, national guidance in relation to safeguarding and protection matters, significantly increasing risks to the safety of children and young people.
“Recording of protection matters had, however, been reviewed and additional layers of scrutiny introduced resulting in some increased consistency and accountability.
“Some additional training and inputs were well received by carers, enhanced their knowledge of trauma and supported them in their role as caregivers.
“Core training, including child protection, was not up to date for all carers and the service were not aware of this until highlighted at inspection. This increased the risk to safe outcomes for children and young people.”
Inspectors graded the leadership and staff team as “weak” whilst their care and support plan was deemed as “adequate”.
Meanwhile, inspectors noted the council’s adoption service had made “positive” improvements in the delivery of the pre-adoption aspect but the post adoption service was still in development.
Key messages included:
• Many children and young people experienced meaningful and affectionate relationships with their adoptive caregivers.
• There was a risk to safe outcomes for children and young people as there was not always clarity that the service had fulfilled their safeguarding responsibilities.
• Post adoption support was not always collaborative and some caregivers did not feel listened to or supported.
• Improvements in quality assurance and learning and development in several areas were limited.
• Not all post adoption households had a post adoption support plan that reflected their current circumstances.
They graded the adoption services as: weak for supporting people’s wellbeing and for leadership and the staff team.
