Teen assaulted in disrupted Ayr care facility
A teenager has been attacked in a children’s home blasted as weak by inspectors.
A Government watchdog slammed the Glenriddel Road home in Ayr as weak after an unannounced inspection in February.
A Care Inspectorate report said: “We found staff had been unable to protect a young person from assault from another young person.
“Consequently the young person had been unsafe.”
The quality of care and support were rated as ‘ weak.’
And in a double blow, management and leadership were also judged as ‘ weak.’
The property housed children before newly built facility Sundrum View in Coylton opened.
Glenriddel acted as a satellite house to Sundrum View It is now closed.
The inspection report added: “The service has been extremely disrupted over the recent months resulting in significant occurrences towards a young person and staff members.”
It pointed out assaults on staff, damage to the house and disruption in the community were “not managed adequately by staff.”
The council has been ordered to make sure staff have the training and skill to “ensure young people are kept safe in the house at all times.”
Inspectors demanded the council to make sure staff are competent in managing “challenging behaviour as a matter of urgency.” Only last year the service was rated good. The revelation comes as South Ayrshire Council head of community, health and care Kenny Leinster is stepping down.
And the councillor responsible for the care sector, including children’s homes, Julie Dettbarns remains suspended over racist comments.
Glenriddel did attract some positive comments from the watchdog.
Staff were praised for giving social workers weekly updates, holding regular care plan reviews and being proactive in meeting the health needs of young people.
And among other positive comments the report said: “The safety needs of young people were given consideration by staff in the provision of daily care.
“Risk assessments were in place alongside management strategies to reduce harm.”
The care home team also helped children remain in contact with family and education and promoted hobbies and interests.
It added: “The team met when possible to discuss the needs of children and service developments.”
The report went before South Ayrshire Council’s leadership panel last week.