Residential care unit for young people is graded 'very good' after spot check on service provision

A residential care unit for young people has been given the thumbs-up on the service it provides following an unannounced inspection.

Spark of Genius Woodside, based on Dalrymple Road, Coylton, was graded ‘very good’ across a quality indicator- the second highest grading possible.

The findings come from the Care Inspectorate following an unannounced inspection last month- with the findings now made public.

Among the key messages the Care Inspectorate said staff had built “positive relationships” with the young people. And there had been a “reduction” in “restrictive practices.”

Staff were developing and employing “effective communication methods” with young people and their identities and beliefs were “respected and supported.”

In addition, young people were “supported” to meet with family and others of importance to them and the standard of young people’s care plans and assessments “had been raised.”

The plus points continued; the Care Inspectorate highlighting that staffing levels were being “efficiently assessed” in accordance with young people’s needs and that training was “accessed and completed” in accordance with young people’s needs.

Spark of Genius - Woodside is registered to provide residential care for up to six young people within two houses in Ayrshire. One house is registered for up to five young people, and the other for a single young person.

An extract from the Care Inspectorate report said: “We found major strengths in supporting positive outcomes for people whilst finding very few areas for improvement. Those that did exist, we considered would have minimal adverse impact on people’s experiences and outcomes.

“The young people were supported by staff who understood their needs well. Strong supportive relationships had been established and more were being nurtured with those new to the home. Young people felt safe and respected by the staff and we observed warm, caring interactions between the young people and staff.”

In the quality indicator relating to supporting children and young people’s rights and wellbeing the unit was graded ‘very good.’

And staff were “alert” to any issues that were emerging for young people and “supported them” to enjoy “stable relationships” within the house.

The report goes on: “Through these responses young people were assured that staff considered their safety and wellbeing a priority. They therefore trusted staff and knew they could confide in them should they want to. Through developing this practice, the staff had achieved a stable environment for the young people to thrive in.”

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