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Over half of care services need to improve |
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Wednesday, 28 May 2008 |
More than half of Scotland’s residential care services for young people need to improve their operations according to a new report by the Care Commission.
The care regulator looked at three areas of service being provided by Scotland’s 236 residential care services: the protection of children, planning for their care and the use of physical restraint.
The services offer 2418 places for young people in care with 1250 places being in care homes, 1041 in residential special schools and 127 in secure care.
The report found that 52 per cent of services need to improve in at least one aspect of the three areas, that there is a need for better staff training and that no accurate national picture exists of the use of physical restraint.
Ronnie Hill, director of Children’s Services at the Care Commission said:
“Caring for children and young people in residential care is one of the most difficult jobs in social care. Many of the young people will have significant social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. The challenges facing residential care staff should not be underestimated and they need good support to do their job well. We owe it to our children to do everything we can to ensure they grow up in a safe environment and emerge as responsible, confident and achieving members of society.
“While we are pleased to find many examples of good practice, the picture across Scotland is patchy. It is good to know, therefore, that services are acting on the recommendations made in our inspection reports. This will help ensure consistently good levels of care for our young people. Organisations providing services, and senior managers, have a vital role in setting the tone and culture of residential care services. Local authorities who place young people in care need to ensure that accurate assessments and proper care planning is in place. Staff also need to have confidence and skill in finding ways that will help to calm down young people and avoid the need for restraint.”
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