Dunclutha Care Home Service Dunclutha House 1 Garden Lane Dunoon PA23 8GY Telephone: 01369 704245 Type of inspection: Unannounced Inspection completed on: 15 December 2017 Service provided by: Argyll and Bute Council Service provider number: SP2003003373 Care service number: CS2003000451
About the service The Care Inspectorate regulates care services in Scotland. Information about all care services can be found on our website at www.careinspectorate.com The service was registered with the Care Inspectorate on 29 April 2015. Dunclutha is a care home for children and young people who are Looked After and Accommodated by Argyll and Bute Council. The service provides care and accommodation for up to six children and young people. At the time of this inspection, there were six young people resident at the service. The service is a newly built bungalow style house set in its own private grounds in Kirn, which is in the East bay part of Dunoon. There are good access links to Dunoon town centre and to wider areas by road and ferry crossings. The accommodation comprises a large open plan lounge/dining area, with catering facilities and laundry adjoining the living space. There are separate rooms where young people can relax and take part in activities. Individual ensuite bedrooms are spacious and well furnished. The house has been built to an excellent standard and provides young people with a high quality living environment. Outside space comprises of decking overlooking the garden to the front of the property, with sea views. There is private parking to the rear of the property. The service aims to involve young people and their families in decisions affecting their lives. The service states its mission statement as: "Our vision is for meaningful service user involvement and partnership working to benefit young people living at Dunclutha. We will empower young people to achieve and enable them to develop their capacities as successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors to society. At Dunclutha, we want to work in partnership with service users to improve the service. This will involve implementing user-centred involvement and change within the organisation. We will work jointly and maximise the presence of service users in a variety of settings which will enable the organisation to change and will impact the service on different levels which will include; - opportunities to influence formal decision-making - demonstrating user's interest in getting involved - opportunities to become part of networks of users and others - opportunities to learn about each other's experiences and priorities Together, we will work as a team and by doing so we will achieve. Our young people will be treated with respect and care and their dignity preserved. We will provide an equal service to young people using our service we will work with them and not against them. We will value our young people's strengths and consistently work to build on them. Our unit aims to remove barriers not create them. We will endeavour to keep our young people on a path to meet their aspirations and strive to establish and maintain their trust and involvement of their carers". page 2 of 10
What people told us We spent time with four young people during the inspection and since the young people had recently moved into the new residence, we spoke about how they were enjoying their new environment. Young people commented that they very much liked their private space, personalised to their own taste. They talked about the open plan living/dining area and that they felt able to relax and enjoy spending time with others. They did comment upon the noise created by bedroom doors opening and closing throughout the night. Young people felt this was something that should be addressed. Young people who were newly resident at Dunclutha commented that they had been welcomed by both staff and other young people, with whom they were developing friendships. All spoke positively about their relationships with staff, saying that they felt respected and valued and that staff were always there if they needed to speak to them. Young people also said that staff were friendly and supportive and that they looked out for them and helped them to make progress in their lives. Some young people were happy to discuss how they were involved in wider initiatives throughout Argyll and Bute and what this meant to them personally, as well as how it influenced the lives of other young people. We comment on this further within the body of the report. Self assessment The provider was not required to submit a self assessment document for this inspecting year. From this inspection we graded this service as: Quality of care and support Quality of environment Quality of staffing Quality of management and leadership 5 - Very Good 5 - Very Good 5 - Very Good 5 - Very Good Quality of care and support Findings from the inspection Further to reviewing the evidence relating to this quality theme, we awarded the service the grade of very good. We concluded this after speaking with young people, observing staff practice and reviewing outcomes for young people. At the time of this inspection, there were six young people living at the service. We met with four of them to discuss their care and support. Young people spoke openly and very positively about how their needs were being met at Dunclutha. They discussed how their "great" relationships with the staff group helped to promote positive opportunities and experiences. We heard about how some young people continued in their role as Young Ambassadors within their education placement and how this encouraged them to support their peers in school and contribute to the wider Young People's Participation Group across Argyll and Bute. By sharing ideas and page 3 of 10
shaping provision for looked after children and young people, those young people played a critical role in improving the experiences of those living away from their family home. One young person articulately expressed how this involvement meant that they gained enormously in self confidence and felt respected for contributing their views. Young people were encouraged to try new opportunities and in one instance, we found that a young person was keen to create an enterprise project and was in the process of consulting with their peers regarding their preferences. By promoting self determination and encouraging young people to take the initiative, the service not only promoted their inclusion but helped them to achieve through active involvement. For others, we noted that the chance to visit an outdoor pool and spa, had created special memories of an enjoyable experience. Further to social opportunities, we found that the majority of young people were engaged in their learning, either through school attendance, college or work placements. For some young people, who found school a difficult experience, we saw very good evidence of joint working with the school, to assist young people's attendance and development. Others were participating well at college and work placements, which provided them with valuable life experience and encouraged a positive work ethic, while engagement in their Pathway Plans helped to identify how they could lead more independent lifestyles. We met with a Through Care worker, who told us about how they and the service were supporting one young person's transition into adulthood. This involved learning to manage their money and although this proved difficult, those involved provided positive reassurance and consistent messages of support. The service also supported young people for whom English was not their first language. Through considerable commitment by the staff team, all information relating to those young people, had been compiled in their native language and also in English. By creating documents which were fully accessible, the service helped to demonstrate the respect and value placed upon young people's heritage and personal choice about how they wished to be supported. This meant that the service helped to promote their strengths and offered reassurance of security and safety within Dunclutha. With the help of other young people, staff and a range of external agencies, young people's integration into the community and involvement in their care was maximised. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 0 Grade: 5 - very good Quality of environment Findings from the inspection Further to our observations, discussions with young people which highlighted their involvement in fully utilising the environment within the newly built Dunclutha, we awarded the service the grade of very good for this quality theme. page 4 of 10
Upon arrival at the service, we could fully appreciate the immediate improvement to the standard of living for young people. Previously residing in the old house, within the grounds of this newly built home, young people had experienced the limitations of living in an older style property which required ongoing maintenance to ensure it remained fit for purpose. Our observations of the new house was that it offered substantially greater opportunities to engage with young people within a relaxed and informal surrounding. By sitting around the dining table or on the opposite facing sofas, we observed young people and staff spending time chatting and enjoying each other's company. The luxurious sofas facing out to the view of the Firth of Clyde, enhanced by a modern wall of floor to ceiling glass doors, had been a request of young people, who wished to retain this attractive vista. While an outside decking area provided further social space for young people to maximise interactions and enjoy the privacy of their own garden. The interior of the house was low arousal, with neutral colour schemes, sensor activated lighting and high quality finishes to fixtures, furnishings and fittings. With the staff office totally removed from the living space, there was no temptation for young people, or for staff to gravitate toward this area and this meant that there was continuity of involvement and conversation between those living and working in the service. Those young people we spoke with during our visit, told us that they liked the house and in particular, their ensuite bedrooms, which they felt were well furnished and spacious. Young people also told us about their feelings of excitement coupled with anxiety about the move to their new home, but that by being critically involved throughout the build, with visits taking place regularly as the project drew to its conclusion, they felt involved and aware of the changes ahead of them. Young people said that they were asked for their views in relation to personalising their bedrooms and contributing to the selection of furnishings and from our observations, we saw that young people had made this space their own. In addition, we found that considerable thought had gone into the use of space, with several rooms being available for young people, should they wish to take part in small groups activity, watch TV or make private telephone calls. During inspection, we joined young people in one of the smaller rooms for an art activity and saw one young person enjoying a private call, without being interrupted. We had dinner with young people and experienced first hand, the relaxed and sociable environment which supported the very positive living experience for those living at Dunclutha. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 0 Grade: 5 - very good Quality of staffing Findings from the inspection While reviewing this quality theme, we spoke with and spent time observing staff, interacting with young people and one another. We also sampled the quality of recordings relating to young people's care and support and upon conclusion, we awarded a grade of very good for this theme. page 5 of 10
During the inspection, we observed the extremely positive culture that exists within the staff group. Through strong leadership and a genuine interest in providing the best care and support possible, we saw that staff worked well together, to effect positive change for young people. We found that through insightful research and sensitive intervention, that young people's needs were well understood and carefully supported. Members of the staff team spoke enthusiastically about how they helped young people to make progress and it was clear from our observations of practice and review of outcomes for young people, that staff were effective in their role. We joined staff during a development session, aimed at encouraging members of the team to consider the creation of extended provision within Argyll and Bute Council. This opportunity for staff to express their views about how supports for young people could be implemented beyond the service, showed the value placed upon seeking their contribution. We observed a motivated staff group who conveyed an excellent understanding of issues facing young people, while engaging in identifying additional provision. We also found that the service had chosen to visit another children's residential service outwith Argyll and Bute, to explore any learning that may assist those working at Dunclutha to understand ways in which other services operated and reflect upon current practice. This had taken place in the months leading up to inspection and we were told that this had been a valuable exercise in supporting a focus on continuous improvement. We will consider evidence related to this learning, at the next inspection. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 0 Grade: 5 - very good Quality of management and leadership Findings from the inspection Further to review of all quality themes, discussions with people and those working in the service, we concluded that a grade of very good should be awarded for the theme of Management and Leadership. During this inspection, we spoke with young people, staff and external professionals. Each person commented in different ways about how effectively the service supported young people. Those living at Dunclutha stated that they felt respected and valued by adults providing daily care and support. They were able to give several examples of how the very positive culture within the service helped them to express their needs, wishes and aspirations. Young people said that they were encouraged to "be themselves" and to "try their best" and this message confirmed our view that young people were cared for in a very supportive and encouraging manner, by a management and staff team, who had their best interests in mind at all times. Staff spoke equally positively about the strong leadership and commitment shown by the manager and their senior colleagues. We found that aspects of quality assurance practices, including regular supervision and staff team meetings, offered opportunities to reflect and discuss how the service could continue to improve. When page 6 of 10
speaking with placing social workers and Through Care workers, they provided strong assurances of their experiences of working with the service. The manager provided clear expectations of her staff team. Whilst she remained non prescriptive about how tasks should be completed, she was very clear about the expected outcomes for young people living at Dunclutha. By empowering and encouraging the staff team to be confident in their decision making and in promoting leadership throughout the team, young people could feel assured that staff advocated on their behalf. The development planning process had focused very much on improving assessments and supporting young people to continue to feel safe and secure throughout and following the transition. Further to a very difficult period at the end of last year and following the transition into the new residence, we found that the strong bonds that existed between staff and young people, had supported everyone through the challenges of the past year. This was a resilient group of young people and staff and although the impact of a significant event had been felt deeply, we found that managers and staff continued to be focused on providing safe and supportive care for vulnerable young people. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 0 Grade: 5 - very good What the service has done to meet any requirements we made at or since the last inspection Previous requirements There are no outstanding requirements. What the service has done to meet any recommendations we made at or since the last inspection Previous recommendations There are no outstanding recommendations. page 7 of 10
Complaints There have been no complaints upheld since the last inspection. Details of any older upheld complaints are published at www.careinspectorate.com. Enforcement No enforcement action has been taken against this care service since the last inspection. Inspection and grading history Date Type Gradings 28 Oct 2016 Unannounced Care and support Management and leadership 13 Nov 2015 Unannounced Care and support Management and leadership 15 Sep 2014 Unannounced Care and support Management and leadership 15 Jul 2013 Unannounced Care and support Management and leadership 30 Nov 2012 Unannounced Care and support Management and leadership page 8 of 10
Date Type Gradings 9 Jan 2012 Unannounced Care and support Management and leadership 29 Aug 2011 Unannounced Care and support 4 - Good Management and leadership 4 - Good 13 Dec 2010 Announced Care and support Management and leadership 9 Aug 2010 Unannounced Care and support Management and leadership 8 Mar 2010 Announced Care and support Management and leadership 20 Aug 2009 Unannounced Care and support 4 - Good 4 - Good 4 - Good Management and leadership 10 Mar 2009 Unannounced Care and support 4 - Good 4 - Good 4 - Good Management and leadership 5 Jun 2008 Announced Care and support 4 - Good 3 - Adequate 3 - Adequate Management and leadership 3 - Adequate page 9 of 10
To find out more This inspection report is published by the Care Inspectorate. You can download this report and others from our website. Care services in Scotland cannot operate unless they are registered with the Care Inspectorate. We inspect, award grades and help services to improve. We also investigate complaints about care services and can take action when things aren't good enough. Please get in touch with us if you would like more information or have any concerns about a care service. You can also read more about our work online at www.careinspectorate.com Contact us Care Inspectorate Compass House 11 Riverside Drive Dundee DD1 4NY enquiries@careinspectorate.com 0345 600 9527 Find us on Facebook Twitter: @careinspect Other languages and formats This report is available in other languages and formats on request. Tha am foillseachadh seo ri fhaighinn ann an cruthannan is cànain eile ma nithear iarrtas. page 10 of 10