Inspection of Residential Childrens Houses by the Care Inspectorate ECSPB
Renfrewshire Council · 21 May 2026
Back to Education and Children's Services Policy Board — 21 May 2026 and its agenda
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PUBLIC Page 1 of 6 To: Education and Children’s Services Policy Board On: 21 May 2026 __________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Children’s Services __________________________________________________________________ Heading: Inspection of Residential Children’s Houses by the Care Inspectorate __________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1. Renfrewshire Children’s Services operate 4 residential children’s houses across Renfrewshire subject to inspection by the Care Inspectorate on a regular basis. 1.2. The Care Inspectorate utilise a quality frameworks approach to evaluate the quality of care during inspections of registered care services. After an inspection the Care Inspectorate grades the service and promotes an improvement agenda. 1.3. This report details the findings of the most recent inspection of Barochan and Brediland Residential Children’s Houses. The Care Inspectorate graded Barochan as very good and Brediland as excellent. A copy of the inspection report for Barochan is attached at appendix 1 and for Brediland at appendix 2. __________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations 2.1. The Education and Children’s Services Policy Board is asked to note: [a] the grading of Barochan residential children’s house as very good by the Care Inspectorate; and [b] the grading of Brediland residential children’s house as excellent by the Care Inspectorate. ______________________________________________________________ 3. Background 3.1 Social work and social care services operate within a robust framework of audit and scrutiny to ensure they meet statutory responsibilities and deliver
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PUBLIC Page 2 of 6 high-quality care and support to vulnerable children, young people, and families. Many of these services are required to register with the Care Inspectorate and are therefore subject to regular, independent evaluation. Registered support services typically receive at least one unannounced inspection each year, providing assurance that practice standards are maintained consistently and that services continue to improve outcomes for those in need. 3.2 Inspectors use quality frameworks to evaluate the quality of care during inspections and improvement planning. The frameworks reflect the Health and Social Care Standards and provides transparency about what is expected. 3.3 The Care Inspectorate utilises the following gradings across each of the areas considered during each inspection: • Unsatisfactory – major weaknesses, urgent remedial action is required. • Weak – important weaknesses, priority action required. • Adequate – strengths just outweigh weaknesses. • Good – important strengths, with some areas for improvement. • Very good – major strengths. • Excellent – outstanding or sector leading. 3.4 The Care Inspectorate publishes all inspection reports on its public website. Alongside the evaluation grades awarded for each inspected theme, the Care Inspectorate may issue recommendations or requirements. Recommendations highlight areas where practice could be improved or developed to enhance the quality of the service; however, non-compliance with a recommendation does not lead to formal enforcement action. Requirements, by contrast, are legally enforceable and set out the actions a service must take to meet its obligations under the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 or the specific conditions of its registration. 3.5 Two unannounced inspections were undertaken by the Care Inspectorate of two of our four residential children’s houses and reports have been published. Barochan and Brediland children’s houses are operated by Renfrewshire Council and are registered care services each supported by an allocated link inspector from the Care Inspectorate, who provides ongoing oversight of the service’s improvement agenda. This relationship ensures that quality, practice development, and compliance are explored not only during formal inspections but continuously throughout the year. 3.6 Renfrewshire Children’s Services operate four residential children’s houses across Renfrewshire, all of which are subject to regular inspection by the Care Inspectorate. The Care Inspectorate utilises a quality frameworks approach to evaluate the quality of care during inspections of registered services. Following inspection, the Care Inspectorate applies evaluative gradings and promotes an improvement agenda where appropriate. 3.7 Inspectors use national quality frameworks informed by the Health and Social Care Standards. These frameworks provide transparency regarding expectations and support continuous improvement planning.
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PUBLIC Page 3 of 6 Barochan Residential Children’s House 3.10 The Care Inspectorate inspection undertook an unannounced inspection of Barochan residential children’s house over two days on 25 and 26 November 2025. The inspection was carried out by two inspectors from the Care Inspectorate who found evidence of significant and sustained improvement since the previous inspection in October 2024. The inspectors confirmed that previous areas of concern had been effectively addressed by the house manager and external managers within Children’s Services. 3.11 At the most recent inspection the inspectors found children and young people experienced their care at Barochan Road as nurturing, consistent and emotionally supportive. Relationships between staff and young people were described as warm, respectful and trusting, with young people feeling listened to and confident in approaching staff for support. 3.12 Inspectors noted that staff demonstrated a strong understanding of the individual life experiences and emotional needs of each young person, enabling them to respond sensitively and appropriately to distress, anxiety and changes in presentation. 3.13 Practice across the house was clearly underpinned by a trauma-informed and child-centred ethos. Young people were supported to express their views, participate meaningfully in daily routines and decisions, and understand how and why decisions were made about their care. 3.14 Inspectors highlighted that: • participation was not tokenistic but embedded within everyday practice and relationships. • Safeguarding and risk management arrangements were found to be significantly strengthened. Inspectors observed improved consistency and clarity in personal plans and risk assessments, with staff demonstrating confidence in recognising and responding to potential risks. • Protocols relating to incidents and missing episodes were implemented effectively, and learning from incidents was used constructively to inform practice and improve outcomes for young people. • Leadership and governance were highlighted as clear strengths. The manager was described as visible, approachable and proactive, providing strong direction and oversight while maintaining a supportive presence within the house. • Staff reported feeling well supported through regular supervision, reflective practice and clear expectations. • That quality assurance systems were embedded and being used effectively to monitor standards, identify learning and drive continuous improvement. 3.15 The inspection also identified positive outcomes in relation to education, wellbeing and wider life skills. Young people were supported to attend and
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PUBLIC Page 4 of 6 engage in education, training and leisure activities, with staff actively promoting aspiration and resilience. Links with families, schools and partner agencies were appropriately maintained and, where possible, strengthened to provide continuity and stability for young people. 3.16 The physical environment was described as welcoming, comfortable and well-maintained. Inspectors noted that young people were supported to personalise their spaces, contributing to a sense of belonging and ownership within the home. 3.17 Overall, the inspection concluded that Barochan Residential Children’s House now demonstrates major strengths in supporting children’s rights and wellbeing and awarded a grade of very good. The 2025 evaluation confirms that improvements have been sustained, that previous requirements have been met in full, and that the service is operating within a stable, accountable and child-focused framework. Brediland Residential Children’s House 3.18 Brediland is a Renfrewshire Council-owned residential children’s house located in Linwood. The service is registered to provide care for up to four children and young people aged 8–20, with approval to support one additional named young person until September 2026. 3.19 The service operates within a trauma-informed, relationship-based model of care and is subject to regular unannounced inspection by the Care Inspectorate. 3.20 An unannounced inspection was undertaken by the Care Inspectorate on 23 and 24 February 2026, with the report published in April 2026. The inspection included engagement with young people, discussions with families and visiting professionals, interviews with staff and managers, observation of daily practice and review of care documentation. 3.21 The inspection focused on the key question: How well do we support children and young people’s rights and wellbeing? 3.22 Inspectors identified that relationships between young people and staff were a defining strength of the service. Young people experienced staff as emotionally available, dependable and attuned to their individual needs. 3.23 Practice was found to be firmly grounded in an understanding of trauma, with staff confidently supporting young people to feel safe, respected and valued within the home. 3.24 Young people’s views were consistently central to decision-making, care planning and everyday life. Inspectors noted that staff actively supported young people to express their wishes, influence routines and contribute to decisions about their care in ways that were meaningful and age-appropriate. 3.25 The inspection highlighted the staff team’s proactive response to indicators of concern, including effective safeguarding practice, thoughtful risk management and strong multi-agency communication. Teamworking was described as highly effective, with staff sharing responsibility and supporting each other to sustain high-quality relational practice.
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PUBLIC Page 5 of 6 3.26 Inspectors noted a strong focus on family life and enduring relationships. Where appropriate, staff worked creatively and sensitively to support young people to maintain relationships that were important to them, contributing to stability and positive identity development. 3.27 Education, learning and personal development were identified as areas of strength. Young people were encouraged and supported to engage positively in education, hobbies and wider community activities, with staff demonstrating high expectations and ambition for young people’s futures. 3.28 The physical environment was also highlighted positively. The house was experienced by young people as welcoming, comfortable and homely, with well-maintained internal spaces and ongoing development of outdoor areas contributing to quality of life and emotional wellbeing. 3.29 The Care Inspectorate did not identify any requirements or recommendations for improvement. The service was graded Excellent, the highest evaluation available, reflecting sector-leading practice and outstanding outcomes for children and young people. No requirements or recommendations were made. 3.30 The inspection outcomes for both Barochan and Brediland Residential Children’s Houses demonstrate sustained improvement and strong assurance regarding the quality of residential childcare provision in Renfrewshire. __________________________________________________________________ Implications of this report 1. Financial None. 2. HR and Organisational Development None. 3. Community/Council Planning None. 4. Legal None. 5. Property/Assets None. 6. Information Technology None. 7. Equality and Human Rights The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report.
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PUBLIC Page 6 of 6 8. Health and Safety None. 9. Procurement None. 10. Risk None. 11. Privacy Impact None. 12. Cosla Policy Position None. 13. Climate Risk None. 14. Children’s Rights This report demonstrates compliance with Article 3 (best interest of child), Article 9 (keeping families together), Article 12 (respect for children’s views), Article 19 (protection from violence), Article 22 (refugee children) and 25 (review of a child’s placement) of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child List of Background Papers (a) None __________________________________________________________________ Children’s Services KS 20.4.26 Author: Kevin Smith, Children’s Services Manager, Tel 0141 487 4280