Politicians kept in dark over ‘worst’ care home in Scotland

Senior politicians were not told about the situation at a children’s care home branded the worst in Scotland.

The revelation is in a letter sent to all party leaders at Renfrewshire Council by David Martin, chief executive of the SNP-led local authority.

The letter comes in the wake of damning Care Commission reports on the Chapel House home in Ardgowan Street, Paisley, which uncovered a catalogue of failings.

The commission rated it the worst of Scotland’s 211 children’s homes.

Mr Martin’s letter, obtained by the Evening Times, states: “Political group leaders and senior elected members are regularly briefed by senior officers on sensitive or urgent matters outwith the formal cycle of council meetings.

“In this particular instance this didn’t happen and I wish to apologise for that oversight.

“I believe the findings of the Care Commission report should have been notified to you, together with an explanation of the remedial actions being taken by the social work service.”

Mr Martin’s apology comes as opposition councillors demanded an emergency briefing from the chief executive and the council’s director of social work on what went wrong at Chapel House.

The Care Commission reports revealed:

    * Children told inspectors of ant infestations in the kitchen and of filling baths with kettles because the heating often failed.
    * Personal files were insecurely kept and children’s possessions were kept in staff offices because of thefts.
    * Inspectors said there were high levels of violent attacks on staff, as well as bullying, anxiety and drug abuse. They questioned whether the home was an appropriate place for some of the more disturbed children.
    * Windows and furniture in some bedrooms were broken.

The care home is run by the council. In September, when it was inspected, there were eight people aged 11-16 living there.

Councillor Anne Hall, Labour’s social work spokeswoman said the council’s Labour Group was “demanding an explanation from the SNP administration as to why they took no urgent action to remediate the falling standard of care at this facility for very vulnerable young people.

“Where furnishings and repairs are necessary in these circumstances they should be carried out as a matter of urgency. Staffing problems are almost inevitable in any care setting, and have to be dealt with timeously.

“While it appears these matters are being addressed, they were not reported to Council. The information in the reports was not provided to members of the Community And Family Care Policy Board.”

Councillor Eileen McCartin, convener of that board, said: “There has been no change from previous practice in Renfrewshire Council on external inspection reports from the Care Commission.

“More than 20 services are inspected by the Care Commission or other external agencies.

“None of those reports from the commission are reported to the council as a matter of course.

“Those reports are in the public domain.

“In hindsight, we could have informed councillors sooner of the issues raised at Chapel House and elected members have been given an apology that it didn’t happen more promptly.”

She said “significant improvements” had been made to the building and that experienced senior staff were now in place at the home.