Helensburgh Children's Unit: Care Inspectorate grades home as 'weak'

Helensburgh Children’s Unit on East King Street, which the report states is managed by Argyll and Bute Council, received an unannounced visit from the Care Inspectorate on Thursday, September 1.

On a scale of one to six, with one being ‘unsatisfactory’ and six being ‘excellent’, the facility’s support for children and young people was given a rating of two - 'weak'.

A report which details the findings of the inspection notes that “a few young people were at serious and significant risk of harm” and “interventions implemented through multi agency care planning were largely ineffective”.

The report also highlights issues relating to staff recruitment processes, quality assurance practices, and child protection practices.

Seven young people were residing at the facility at the time of the inspection, but the service can accommodate up to eight.

Inspectors spoke with four young people using the service, one family member, five members of staff and management, and visiting professionals. They also reviewed documents and observed practice and daily life during.

Key points listed by the Care Inspectorate in their report were: 

• There were good outcomes for a few young people.

• A few young people were at serious and significant risk of harm.

• Interventions implemented through multi agency care planning were largely ineffective.

• Gaps in formal review of young people's care led to poor oversight of risk.

• Advocacy provision was in place but was not optimised for those young people most at risk.

• Child protection practices were, at times, poor and failed to promote young people's rights and sense of identity.

• The most recent staff recruitment practices and processes did not follow safer recruitment guidance.

• Inconsistent application of consequences to young people's behaviours led to perceptions of unfair practices.

• Improvement planning was compromised by a poor culture in the service.
• Quality assurance practices and processes failed to provide adequate safeguards.

In its evaluation of the service, the Care Inspectorate has recommended that the provider promotes the rights, views, and wishes of young people by ensuring all residents access to advocacy provision is optimised.

Following a previous inspection, in February 2020, inspectors identified an area for improvement which recommended that the service should explore ways in which it can more effectively involve young people in their personal plans.

The report from the most recent inspection states: “We were not satisfied with progress toward this area for improvement and have therefore identified this once again as area for improvement at this inspection.”

Though the Care Inspectorate's report says the service at the unit is provided by Argyll and Bute Council, a council spokesperson told the Advertiser the home is managed by the area's health and social care partnership (HSCP).

A spokeswoman for Argyll and Bute HSCP said: "Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership acknowledge the report by the Care Inspectorate following an unannounced inspection of East King Street Children’s House.

"We accept the findings of the inspection and are now working, along with the Care Inspectorate, local staff, and young people to develop an action plan to strengthen practice.

"The safety and care experienced by our young people are a top priority and every effort will be made to improve the experience of those living at East King Street."