Council / Inspection reports go in front of education and families committee councillors
Reassurance was given that any recommendations for improvement are being worked on
COUNCILLORS have given their reaction to recent inspection reports of schools, nurseries and care services – with the results on the whole positive.
The Lerwick early learning and childcare facility on King Harald St received a ‘weak’ rating for its setting, but councillors were reassured that improvements began being implemented quickly afterwards.
Members were also told that the unannounced inspection there took place on a “challenging” day where there were fewer staff than usual.
There were also largely positive reports for the Urafirth primary, the Anderson High School halls of residence and the Islesburgh out of school service.
The various reports went in front of elected members at a meeting of Shetland Islands Council’s education and families committee on Monday.
Lerwick early learning and childcare is the only local authority run standalone nursery setting in Shetland.
Some of the key messages from inspectors were that children were cared for by kind staff, bairns benefitted from access to a large outdoor area and that their play and learning was enhanced through connections with the local community.
However they said play resources and materials needed to be increased, and that systems should be put in place to identify hazards.
Following an unannounced visit from the Care Inspectorate in September, it was given the ‘weak’ rating in the theme of ‘how good is our setting’ and ‘adequate’ in three other categories which related to care, play and learning, leadership and the staff team.
The report confirmed that the facility had met a number of previous requirements following a past inspection but that a couple remained outstanding, which are being worked on.
Regarding the evaluation under the ‘how good is our setting’ category, inspectors said they found strengths as well as some “significant weaknesses”.
They said children were cared for in an environment that was bright and spacious, with the youngsters keen to explore.
However they noted some areas were not “well resourced” while some potential “risks” were identified, such as a low hanging blind cord, a water tank, a shelf and some “unclean and broken” outdoor resources.
The report said: “We highlighted the concerns that required immediate attention, and the manager took immediate action to address these concerns.”
Quality improvement officer Ann-Marie Flaws suggested at Monday’s meeting that the inspection day had been challenging due to staffing levels, and although the numbers were within the legal requirement they were lower than usual.
She said the recommendation regarding the setting, which had a deadline of late November, was actioned on immediately.
Flaws also told councillors about a wide range of measures being undertaken at the nursery, from updating risk assessments and increasing audits to reviewing handwashing processes, while enhanced support is available from central officers.
She also said almost all staff have been out on learning visits to other settings.
Flaws said during questioning that staff have reviewed the play resources on offer to increase learning opportunities, including “carefully considering” the needs of two year olds to ensure high quality provision.
During debate committee chair Davie Sandison said councillors had “very good assurance and update” on the actions that have been taken and that are ongoing.
He added that “I think we’ve known for a wee while that there’s been some challenges” regarding a previous expansion of the service when it merged the Isles Haven ELC and the Old Infants Room.
Sandison added: “This is a large setting and it’s an old building, and I think a number of these issues are challenges in their own right, and are being well handled.
“I’m very well assured that the action and support has been put in place to support the staff team and to ensure that we can actually come back […] and meet the needs of the Care Inspectorate.”
Lerwick North and Bressay councillor Stephen Leask commented that it sounded like the visit happened on a “bad day” and said it can be upsetting for staff when a “snapshot” is taken during times like these.
He said the last thing he wanted to see was for staff morale to be affected, adding that the workforce are “really are needed and really are important”.
Meanwhile the Anderson High School halls of residence was also visited by the Care Inspectorate in September.
It was given a ‘very good’ rating in the category of ‘children and young people are safe, feel loved and get the most out of life’.
The halls were also awarded a ‘good’ rating for ‘how well do you support children and young people’s rights and wellbeing’, and in a category about leaders and staff.
Several strengths were identified by inspectors, including the friendly and supportive interactions between staff and young people, good examples of interagency working and positivity from parents.
Some areas of improvement were recommended, including that all young people should have a support plan within 28 days of moving into the service, and that medication procedure should be reviewed and additional training be given in relation to neurodiversity and the impact of trauma.
However councillors were given reassurance that the items designated for improvement were already on the halls’ radar.
Team leader Nick McCaffrey said for instance that every resident has a support plan – with the Care Inspectorate’s recommendation focused more on the “design and timeline that we work to”.
Regarding medicine, he said staff have seen an “uptick in complex support needs in individuals, predominantly around anxiety, ADHD and autism” in the last few years, although this is said to be a national trend.
McCaffrey said therefore there has been an increase in the use of “controlled drugs” such as Ritalin, which is prescribed for ADHD.
He said a risk assessment process was already underway on this.
McCaffrey said residents have been taking their medication independently or with the support of their parents, but this may change in the future with more people needing support.
All of the halls’ staff are now trained to deliver medication, particularly controlled medication.
He also told councillors that staff acknowledge that the service supports people with complex needs, and there is a hope for more training to be delivered around neurodiversity.
McCaffrey added that staff at the halls are already “trauma informed”.
Depute convener Bryan Peterson paid tribute to the work of the “house parents” within the halls of residence, saying they have a “positive influence” on young folk.
Sandison added that it appeared the service was being run very well.
Meanwhile the Islesburgh out of school care service in Lerwick was also inspected in September.
It was given three ‘good’ ratings and one ‘adequate’ score in category on leadership.
Some of the main messages were that children benefitted from caring and friendly interactions with staff, and were busy and happy in their play and had links with the local community.
Some recommendations included ensuring that personal plans fully support staff to meet children’s needs, and to make sure all medication is stored and recorded appropriately.
There were said to be significant challenges with staffing at the time of the inspection, but that this was managed well.
Councillors were told that staffing can still be a challenge, particularly due to the time of the club, and there was still some relief staff being used.
Sandison said he was “very satisfied” that it was a relatively good all round report.
As previously reported, the Urafirth Primary School and its nursery were visited in October, with ‘good’ ratings in all categories.
A number of strengths were found by inspectors, including how the headteacher and staff provide an inclusive, nurturing and inviting learning environment, and that children are respectful, kind and welcoming.
Some areas for improvement included that staff should continue to develop high quality approaches to learning and teaching, and that nursery staff should provide bairns with further challenge to extend and sustain interests in learning.
Shetland North councillor Andrew Hall said it was “great to see such a positive report for a small rural school” and praised the work of the head teacher and staff – with fellow ward member Emma Macdonald saying it is a “fantastic school”.
Sandison said he and vice-chair Catherine Hughson had visited Urafirth last week and had an “extremely fruitful time” with staff and the children.
He said they had been taken on a tour by pupils who were very proud of their school – but the councillor added that one child had asked “is that the inspector back?” when he appeared in a classroom.
“I’m dreading the fact that I might look like a school inspector,” Sandison quipped.
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