A watchdog report has raised concerns that young Fife care home residents are being “criminalised” amid a high level of police call outs.
The Care Inspectorate has called for improvements at Glenlyon Care Home in Leven after discovering various issues on a recent visit.
It noted staff have been struggling to cope with the “challenging behaviour” of some residents but that police involvement was causing further issues.
Among the unruly behaviour is bullying and aggression among youngsters while others have experienced emotional harm.
The home is registered for four young people age eight to 20. At the time of the inspection, two young people were living in the service.
Improvements needed
Following the visit by the Care Inspectorate to the Glenlyon Road based facility in early April, Fife Council, which runs the home, has been given until the end of June to make improvements.
Meantime the home was recorded as being “weak” in how well they support children and young people’s rights and wellbeing.
It was also rated as being weak in two further categories; safety and emotional security, and protection of young people’s needs
Bullying and aggression
The report states: “Outcomes for young people in the service were severely impacted by high levels of challenging behaviour which included bullying and aggression between young people.”
It continues: “This challenging behaviour led to police being frequently called to the service and young people becoming criminalised for their behaviour.
“Young people had not always felt safe in the service and criminalisation impacted on the quality of therapeutic relationships between young people and care staff.”
The reports says the service needs to address the management of challenging behaviour to ensure young people are safe in the service and that criminalisation is reduced.
It also found outcomes for young people in the service have been negatively impacted by admissions decisions and has led to the safety of young people being compromised.
“Some young people had to move on from the service due to the impact of challenging behaviour,” it states.
“Staff felt that the combination of young people in the service had not been conducive to providing a therapeutic care environment.
“Some staff were clear the combination of young people had actively caused emotional harm. ”
Positive relationships praised
The home was given praise however with some young people having good relationships with members of staff.
It said: “Young people in the service experienced positive relationships with some staff who expressed a commitment to providing nurturing care.
“There was an individualised approach and an emphasis on providing young people with one to one time with staff.”
Council concedes report is ‘disappointing’
Head of education and children’s services at Fife Council, Kathy Henwood, said: “There is no doubt that this is a disappointing report from the Care Inspectorate and not the standards that we aspire to achieve in our facilities.
“The recent inspection has identified key areas for improvement, and we will continue to work with the Care Inspectorate to address any areas of concern as a matter of urgency.
“We are committed to the highest standard of care and will work with partners to build on the positive relationships that exist between the staff and young people at Glenlyon and make sure we meet their care and support needs.”
