Child escape

Inspectors witness fire-exit escape in Cambuslang

Inspectors witnessed a child escaping through a fire exit door without staff noticing at an out-of-school care agency in Cambuslang.

The Cambuslang Out of School Care Project received an ‘adequate’ grading when the Care Inspectorate attended the Vicars Walk building last month.

Inspectors witnessed a child escaping through a fire exit door without staff knowing at an out of school care agency in Cambuslang.

The Cambuslang Out of School Care Project received an ‘adequate’ grading when the Care Inspectorate attended the Vicars Walk building last month.

But during the inspection on May 22, a number of issues were raised in the report including the kitchen door being left open where children could gain access to sharp items and cleaning materials.

The driveway gate and the gate to the main entrance were left ajar and a child was seen exiting through the fire exit door, left open to provide fresh air and access to the outdoor play area, to play on his own without adult supervision or staff awareness.

Three children were also reported bouncing on the trampoline when manufacture guidelines stated only one was permitted at one time. The disabled toilet was used to store items which were found to be stored untidily.

The report, released this month, highlighted that staff were not “deployed effectively” as one member of the team spent their time in the kitchen for most of the afternoon. It added: “Throughout the inspection we identified areas for improvement as a result of the manager and staff not following policies and procedures and good practice guidelines.

“We discussed with staff how they planned to provide care and support to meet children’s needs. We found personal plans were in place, but not every child had one.

“The plans in place required improvement to meet personal plan legislation and ensure staff planned how best to support each child.”

However, 10 parents or relatives told the Care Inspectorate they were happy with the quality of service provided and staff were friendly and approachable.

The Cambuslang Out of School Care Project is responsible for 30 children of primary school age.

Mary Barbour, manager at Cambuslang Out of School Care Project, said the agency was in the process of building a fence around the front of the building and the fire door will now remain closed.

She added: “We have to respond to the issues raised with an action plan. All the issues raised have either been addressed or will be addressed before August 31.”

During school term the service provides breakfast club and after school care and during school holidays full day care.

At the time of the inspection the agency had 41 children registered to use the service.