Helensburgh Children's Unit report from Care Inspectorate

The Care Inspectorate paid a follow-up visit to the Helensburgh Children's Unit in East King Street in February - 16 months after it warned that some young people at the service were at "serious and significant risk of harm".

In September 2022 the watchdog said the unit's support for children and young people's rights and wellbeing was 'weak'.

The latest report upgrades that rating to 'adequate', with the inspectors stating that "strengths just outweighed weaknesses".

The new report states: “Young people were developing and maturing in their ability to make informed choices and decisions.

“However, where young people experienced an established pattern of high risk behaviours, they continued to be at high risk.

“This was despite their strong emotional connections with staff and incidences of harm being less frequent.

“For other young people, who remained isolated from wider society and whose wellbeing was of concern to all involved, a lack of a well developed plan had impacted upon the likelihood of them achieving positive outcomes.

"Although very recently there was an improved chance of success.

“During this inspection, it was evident that as staff developed more understanding of young people's emerging needs and interests, they had been more effective in promoting responsive practices.

“Some staff training had helped to educate and empower staff to better meet the needs of young people, but we felt this could be further developed.

“Whilst each [child] felt safe and respected, some suggested that it would be good if there was more for them to do in and around the house.

“We also advised the service that by being more ambitious for young people, this would increase opportunities for personal growth and development.

“With a focus on improvement, the new manager adopted a systematic approach to address the concerns from the last inspection.”

The latest report outlines four areas for improvement for the care service.

These are: to make sure young people are involved in their future plans as much as possible; to implement additional staff training; to be more ambitious for the young people using the service; and to consider ways in which services can work together during transitions for at-risk young people.

The unit was given two requirements to meet after the inspection in September 2022.

Service providers were required to ensure the health, welfare, and safety of all young people in their care and ensure that managers submit notifications of serious and significant events in accordance with guidance and with sufficient detail.

The former was met outside of the timescale provided, while the latter was met within the timescale.

Four areas for improvement were highlighted during previous inspections, and the latest report says all were found to have been met.

These were: to ensure that all young people’s access to advocacy provision is optimised to promote their voice in care related decisions; to ensure that quality assurance processes are in place to promote better outcomes for young people; to ensure young people, staff, external managers, and partner agencies are involved in exploring ways in which the service can be improved; and to explore ways in which the unit can more effectively involve young people in their personal plans.

A follow-up visit in March and April 2023 was undertaken as the inspectors "sought clarity on some issues relating to the care of young people" and "were reassured senior managers were addressing these issues".

A representative from the Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership said: "[We] remain committed to working closely in partnership with the Care Inspectorate and welcome the Care Inspectorate report findings on East King Street Children’s House. 

"We are pleased the report acknowledges the hard work of the staff and the progress that has been made in developing the service for children, young people, and their families."