Inspectors praise Netherton care facility near Ochiltree

The Netherton Complex, run by Spark of Genius, was assessed on its support for children and young people's rights and wellbeing, landing the top possible ranking.

The facility is registered to provide school care accommodation to a maximum of six young people aged between 10 and 18.

The Care Inspectorate paid an unannounced visit to the facility, located just outside Ochiltree, in April, with the report issued earlier this week.

The inspector found:

• Young people were provided a safe and stable home base from which to thrive.
• The staff had developed warm, positive and nurturing relationships with the young people.
• The staff were strong advocates for young people's voices being heard and having their rights respected.
• The young people were achieving in education, their individual goals and in their various activities and interests.
• Young people were being supported through continuing care arrangements to prepare to transition to independent living at a pace that suited them.
• Management and staff developed and maintained a comfortable, settled, homely environment.

The report continued: "We evaluated this service as excellent at this inspection.

"This was due to the excellent team building and development of the service through high quality support from the management team. This resulted in staff providing an excellent level of nurture, care and support to the young people which led to very positive outcomes.

"Staff provided exceptional levels of care and young people told us they felt safe, secure and nurtured in the home."

One young person commented: "I give the manager all the credit for that. She has made the house really, really settled and I'm really, really grateful for that."

The report said the staff were sensitive to the impact of trauma and attachment on young people, both individually and in being alert to emotional challenges arising through daily group living and age and stage of development.

It added: "Mental health and emotional wellbeing was very effectively supported.

"Young people's individual interests were celebrated and they experienced new and exciting experiences including singing, fitness training, fishing, and holiday trips. Young people were also supported educationally. "

One family member told the inspector: "My child is receiving the best emotional care possible."

Another commented: "This service allows the young people I support to be themselves. They are patient and understanding and demonstrate a good level of trauma informed practice."

Netherton's Residential Manager Stacey Galloway told the Chronicle: "We are delighted that Netherton has been recognised with an Excellent grading for supporting young people.

"The report reflects our commitment to providing a nurturing, child-centred environment where young people feel safe, valued and supported to achieve positive outcomes."

She added: "As manager of Netherton, I feel incredibly privileged to lead such a dedicated service.

"I genuinely love my role and am passionate about ensuring that every young person who comes to Netherton receives the highest standard of care, support and opportunity to thrive. Seeing the positive impact that our team has on the lives of young people every day is what makes the role so rewarding.

"We are extremely proud of this achievement, and while it is wonderful to have our work recognised by the Care Inspectorate, our focus remains on continuing to provide outstanding care and the best possible outcomes for the young people we support."