Children’s unit to stop new admissions over ‘serious concerns’

Among the improvements demanded by the care inspectorate, external are that it must provide maximum security, meaning that doors and windows must be secured, items which could cause harm are not accessible to young people there and that crisis activation and response systems are “fully responsive”.

Other areas for improvement include ensuring that there is “effective recording, oversight and analysis of incidents including restrictive practices”, which covers making sure “no young people are subject to restraint”.

The report has also stated that staffing numbers need to be “sufficient” enough to handle young people’s needs and that any agency staff need to be checked to ensure they are competent enough to handle the job, while “effective safeguarding” also needs to be improved.

The report’s findings are required to be acted on throughout October and November.

The unit’s website, external states that it will provide “the right help, at the right time to children and young people, their families and wider world, whose needs require highly specialist support and intervention.”

It adds that all care staff are Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) registered while all teachers are registered with the General Teaching Council.

A spokesman for St Mary’s said: “We take the Care Inspectorate’s findings very seriously and we have taken action to make immediate improvements to ensure safe staffing levels and the protection of children.

“We will work with the Care Inspectorate and Scottish government to ensure that the required improvements are made and sustained.”