Children are being put at “significant risk” while living in a Renfrewshire care home, a damning inspection report has revealed.
Nether Johnstone House has been slammed by the Care Inspectorate following a recent visit, with inspectors raising concerns about the wellbeing of children in the care of the facility.
A report told how some children told inspectors they didn’t feel safe living at the Barochan Road home.
Following an unannounced visit between April 17 and April 27, the watchdog has issued a letter of “serious concern” as “urgent” improvements are required to ensure residents are safe and protected.
Publishing its findings, the watchdog rated the Johnstone care home as “unsatisfactory” – the lowest score available – for how well they support children and young people’s rights and wellbeing.
Also being ranked as “unsatisfactory” was the leaders and staff’s capacity and resources to meet and champion children and young people’s needs and rights and if children and young people are safe, feel loved and get the most out of life.
A key message from the inspection on the facility, was that some young people reported to inspectors that they don’t always feel safe living in Nether Johnstone House.
The watchdog published in their report that “children and young people were not being kept safe, physically and emotionally at all times within the house.”
During the visit the inspectors spoke with users of the service, family members, staff and they also reviewed documents, observed practice and daily life, and spoke with seven visiting professionals.
In a detailed probe, inspectors found young people were put at “significant risk”.
This was because inspectors state the service had not responded appropriately to a significant child protection concern.
The report stated: “Networks outside the home had not been appropriately informed which resulted in them being unable to provide the safeguards required.”
A requirement to be made by Monday, July 31, is the home must ensure they operate an effective risk assessment policy and procedure which correctly and accurately identifies all risks to young people and staff.
During the visit, inspectors found children and young people were put at “significant risk” as staff were unable to “safely and competently” meet people’s needs.
The report stated this was because there was “no evidence” of training on attachment, trauma and restraint – all of which are “crucial” to providing safe and attuned care to young people.
The two visiting inspectors also had serious concerns about the “lack of a manager”, and were not confident that when there had been a manager present that they provided an effective contribution to safe, good and improving outcomes.
They also noted there was no external supervision or oversight of the manager which meant that positive outcomes and acceptable risk were not prioritised.
The home operated by Julia Stewart Limited also raised concerns as inspectors also found that young people’s participation in the service was lacking, was not given sufficient priority and that children in the service had very limited access to informal or independent advocacy.
A raft of improvements have now been demanded by the Care Inspectorate by the end of next month.
Nether Johnstone House was approached for comment.
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