Scotland's care homes must improve methods

The Care Commission report, Protecting Children and Young People in Residential Care: Are We Doing Enough?, recommends organisations who run young people's care services and their staff need to improve training and assessment methods, particularly in child protection; planning for young people's care and using and recording physical restraint.
 
The report found there is a need for better staff training and there is no accurate national picture of physical restraint use. It also raised concerns that young people may feel unable to complain about services.

Ronnie Hill, director of children's services at the commission, said: "Caring for children and young people in residential care is one of the most difficult jobs in social care. The challenges facing residential care staff should not be underestimated and they need good support to do their job well.

"Local authorities who place young people in care need to ensure that accurate assessments and proper care planning are in place. Staff also need to have confidence and skill in finding ways that will help to calm down young people and avoid the need for restraint."

Figures for March 2006 show the residential services were providing 2,418 places for young people with 1,250 in care homes, 1,041 in residential special schools and 127 in secure accommodation.