Airdrie young people's home threatened with closure over 'serious concerns' about care quality

A care home for young people in North Lanarkshire has has been told it must improve or face closure after receiving a damning inspection report.

The Care Inspectorate raised “serious and significant concerns” about the quality of care being provided at Allinvale House in Airdrie.

The national regulator has threatened to cancel the registration of the care home, operated by LOVE Care, unless there is “significant improvement” in just over two weeks.

The service has been given until February 24 to improve several areas including the way it handles of allegations of abuse, staff numbers and rules around medication.

The Care Inspectorate has issued an improvement notice citing four areas with issues.

The first demands “comprehensive medication procedures” are put in place including medication being correctly labeled and stored securely with a record kept of all the medication on site.

Child protection measures must also be improved with staff who have lead responsibility for safeguarding and protection to be available during their working hours either in person or on call.

The care home has also been told to “ensure that where an allegation of abuse is made, the service makes
appropriate referrals to lead agencies” and that concerns regarding staff misconduct are reported to the SSSC.

Concerns have been raised regarding the safety of children in the care home and the number of staff on shift.

Bosses have been told the ensure that “suitably qualified and competent” staff are working in numbers that are “appropriate for the health, welfare and safety of the children and young people” at all times.

As part of the improvement plan staff have been told they must “protect the safety of those who use the service through effective care planning and risk management”.

It outlines: “Demonstrate care planning is specific to each child and young person with up-to-date information, including medication, and is informed by regular communication with all relevant key partners.

“Ensure that a risk assessment policy and procedure is in place which enables staff to identify and reduce risks to children, young people and staff.”

A spokesperson for the Care Inspectorate said: “An inspection has identified serious and significant concerns about the quality of care experienced by young people at Allinvale House, Airdrie.

“We understand this is a difficult and distressing time for young people, their families and staff at the service.

“However, our first priority is always the health and wellbeing of young people.

“Because of our concerns about the safety of young people we have issued an Improvement Notice to the service. This sets out the significant improvements that must be made, swiftly, so that the care experienced by young people is of a standard they have a right to expect.

“We are working closely with partners including relevant local authorities to ensure that young people experience appropriate care during this difficult time.”

“Anyone with a concern can contact us on 0345 600 9527.”

A spokesperson for LOVE Care added: “Allinvale House has been affected by current issues within the social care sector, with a turnover of staff and manager. Allinvale House was inspected during a time when a new manager had just started after a period with no manager in place.

“The care of young people is the highest of importance to the organisation. We have already actioned all improvements raised. We are working together with the Care Inspectorate and the local authority to ensure these improvement’s are embedded.

“All other wider services within Love @ Care are graded 4-5 good or very good and this this report is not a reflection on our overall services.”