Children’s care home’s ‘good’ report

A children’s care home has been given a good report by inspectors.

Thistlebank Care Home Service, Cumnock, was rated ‘very good’ and ‘good’ across several quality indicators.

The Care Inspectorate report said that day-to-day routines were structured around the needs of young people in a “safe and caring environment” provided by a “committed staff team.”

The Care Inspectorate also highlighted “impressive planning” which enabled a young person to reunite with family and celebrate together during the festive season.

Grief and loss had been managed with “great sensitivity and skill” too.

The scrutiny body did ask that the dietary intake and mealtime experience of one young person be “reviewed,” and was told this would be “taken forward.” They also suggested that care plans are created to support young people in developing the skills needed to “manage their own medication” over time.

One criticism came in the form of placement plans, as the report states:

“There was a lack of robustness around the planning for one child when moving into Thistlebank.

“On reviewing case records, we found the placement plan was incomplete and lacked detail of how mental health and contact arrangements would be continued.

“There was a significant delay in accessing mental health services and a needed review of medication for a mental health issue. We also acknowledge current very good mental health support. However, better planning at the time of admission could have averted this detriment. This was accepted at the inspection feedback.”

Owners Pebbles Care have now introduced a new admissions guidance and procedure to ensure more “robust practices” take place pre-placement and during admissions stages.