Care house praised after inspection

A DALTON care service has received positive feedback following a recent unannounced inspection. Gardenhouse, which provides care for up to three young people, was awarded a ‘good’ grade for its support of children and young people’s rights and wellbeing. The inspection took place earlier this January, led by two inspectors from the Care Inspectorate. To form a comprehensive view of the home’s quality, the inspectors spoke with the young people and their representatives; interviewed eight members of the staff and management team; observed daily life and staff practice within the home; reviewed essential documentation and spoke with visiting professionals. The inspectors highlighted several areas where Gardenhouse is succeeding. Notably, staff are successfully building trusting relationships with the young people, creating a foundation for a trauma-informed approach to care. Educational engagement was another high point, with young people actively completing coursework and achieving positive results. The report also noted that residents are participating in a variety of activities – some of which they might not have otherwise experienced – helping them broaden their horizons and explore new interests. From a leadership perspective, the manager was praised for developing a stable staff team and implementing more robust quality assurance processes to maintain oversight of the service. Whilst the service performed well, inspectors identified specific areas for continued improvement. The service should more actively advocate for young people’s rights, specifically regarding continuing care options as they approach adulthood. Inspectors also noted that personal care plans and staff training schedules should be more closely informed by updated, regular risk assessments.