THE region’s only council-run children’s care home has emerged positively from a crisis and made significant progress over the last 12 months, it has been confirmed.
And the interim manager, who took charge of the children’s care home in Dumfries at a time of instability and chaos, has been praised for doing a “remarkable job” in turning things around.
A couple of years ago, the facility was graded as ‘weak’ by the Care Inspectorate and was dealing with overcrowding and staffing issues.
However, a follow-up inspection in September this year resulted in an upgrade to ‘adequate’, and several strengths noted.
At the time of inspection there were four young people living in the house. The inspector spoke to three of them, eight staff members, and the interim manager.
Young people told the inspector they were safe, that staff knew them well, and were responsive to their physical and emotional needs.
The Care Inspectorate report stated that young people “enjoyed warm nurturing relationships with the staff team”. It was also recorded that the interim manager was creating “a supportive and empowering culture” and “modelled high standards of practice and actively championed the best possible outcomes for the young people.”
At the council’s social work committee last week, it was acknowledged that improvement work still has to be done – but council officers are pleased with progress so far.
Charles Rocks, the council’s head of children, families and justice social work, added: “Given where the house was 12 months ago, in terms of challenges and the incredible ask of children being matched in the children’s house on an unplanned basis in a crisis situation, we’re very much recognising the level of stability the house has now brought.
“With the level of care and nurture for our young people, this is a really positive report. We absolutely welcome this – and still recognise the areas for improvement the Care Inspectorate has identified.
“It’s been a tough 12 months for the team, but appreciation to the carers and to the interim house manager who has done a fantastic piece of leadership.”
Stephen Morgan, the region’s chief social work officer, said: “Gradings previously had dropped to ‘weak’, and that was post-pandemic.
“We had significant issues for this particular children’s house in relation to it almost being a service of last resort.
“We couldn’t pick and choose in terms of where we were placing children.”
He also heaped praise on the staff and the interim manager for doing a “remarkable job”.
The Care Inspectorate detailed an improvement plan which must be implemented by January 31, 2025 to upgrade standards further.
