Linn Moor Residential School School Care Accommodation Service Peterculter ABERDEEN AB14 0PJ Telephone:

Linn Moor Residential School School Care Accommodation Service Peterculter ABERDEEN AB14 0PJ Telephone: 01224 732246 Inspected by: Susan Barrie Type of inspection: Unannounced Inspection completed on: 8 February 2012

Contents Page No Summary 3 1 About the service we inspected 5 2 How we inspected this service 6 3 The inspection 9 4 Other information 16 5 Summary of grades 17 6 Inspection and grading history 17 Service provided by: VSA Service provider number: SP2003000011 Care service number: CS2003000163 Contact details for the inspector who inspected this service: Susan Barrie Telephone 01224 793870 Email enquiries@scswis.com Linn Moor Residential School, page 2 of 19

Summary This report and grades represent our assessment of the quality of the areas of performance which were examined during this inspection. Grades for this care service may change after this inspection following other regulatory activity. For example, if we have to take enforcement action to make the service improve, or if we investigate and agree with a complaint someone makes about the service. We gave the service these grades Quality of Care and Support N/A Quality of Environment 5 Very Good Quality of Staffing N/A Quality of Management and Leadership 4 Good What the service does well Linn Moor school provides a safe place for students to live and learn. The staff at the school know the students very well and work hard to help them do new and interesting things. What the service could do better The school has recently registered as an Eco school. This will give students even more opportunity to improve their environment. The website is also being developed to allow parents to be more involved and access more information. What the service has done since the last inspection Since the last inspection the School Council has developed. All of the young people had a part in the schools first ever pantomime (which was excellent). Conclusion Linn Moor continues to offer young people a good standard of care and education by caring staff. Opportunities for young people to be involved in a wide range of activities which interest them remain good. The school is constantly looking at ways it can improve and develop. Linn Moor Residential School, page 3 of 19

Who did this inspection Susan Barrie Linn Moor Residential School, page 4 of 19

1 About the service we inspected Linn Moor School was first registered with the Care Commission on 1 April 2002, being deemed registered with Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland ( now known as the Care Inspectorate) in April 2011. The Care Inspectorate is the new regulatory body for care services in Scotland. It will award grades for services based on the findings of inspections. The history of grades that services have previously been awarded by the Care Commission will also be available on the Care Inspectorate website. The school offers care and education to a maximum of twenty-six students with an autistic spectrum disorder/learning disability. Based on the findings of this inspection this service has been awarded the following grades: Quality of Care and Support - N/A Quality of Environment - Grade 5 - Very Good Quality of Staffing - N/A Quality of Management and Leadership - Grade 4 - Good This report and grades represent our assessment of the quality of the areas of performance which were examined during this inspection. Grades for this care service may change following other regulatory activity. You can find the most up-to-date grades for this service by visiting our website www.scswis.com or by calling us on 0845 600 9527 or visiting one of our offices. Linn Moor Residential School, page 5 of 19

2 How we inspected this service The level of inspection we carried out In this service we carried out a medium intensity inspection. We carry out these inspections where we have assessed the service may need a more intense inspection. What we did during the inspection An unannounced inspection of the service was carried out by one Care Inspectoerate Inspector on Thursday 2nd February 2012. Verbal feedback was given to three senior staff on 8th February 2012. Throughout the inspection process, information was gained from: Discussion with staff and the registered manager Discussion with the member of staff with responsibility for Health and Safety Observation of the environment and staff/service user interaction Examination of incident recording Examination of staff meeting minutes Various diaries Operational Plans Attendance at the schools Christmas pantomime. Grading the service against quality themes and statements We inspect and grade elements of care that we call 'quality themes'. For example, one of the quality themes we might look at is 'Quality of care and support'. Under each quality theme are 'quality statements' which describe what a service should be doing well for that theme. We grade how the service performs against the quality themes and statements. Details of what we found are in Section 3: The inspection Inspection Focus Areas (IFAs) In any year we may decide on specific aspects of care to focus on during our inspections. These are extra checks we make on top of all the normal ones we make during inspection. We do this to gather information about the quality of these aspects of care on a national basis. Where we have examined an inspection focus area we will clearly identify it under the relevant quality statement. Linn Moor Residential School, page 6 of 19

Fire safety issues Inspection report continued We do not regulate fire safety. Local fire and rescue services are responsible for checking services. However, where significant fire safety issues become apparent, we will alert the relevant fire and rescue services so they may consider what action to take. You can find out more about care services' responsibilities for fire safety at www.firelawscotland.org Linn Moor Residential School, page 7 of 19

What the service has done to meet any recommendations we made at our last inspection At the last inspection a recommendation was made that all staff undertake infection control and food hygiene training. At this inspection all staff had either undertaken this training or had a scheduled dates to do so (by the end of April 2012). The annual return Every year all care services must complete an 'annual return' form to make sure the information we hold is up to date. We also use annual returns to decide how we will inspect the service. Annual Return Received: Yes - Electronic Comments on Self Assessment Every year all care services must complete a 'self assessment' form telling us how their service is performing. We check to make sure this assessment is accurate. No Self Assessment was requested prior to this inspection. A comprehensive Self Assessment had been submitted prior to the inspection in July 2011. Taking the views of people using the care service into account Service users were observed to be well supported and encouraged by staff. The inspector joined young people for lunch where one young person spoke confidently about activities and tasks he had been involved in. Taking carers' views into account No carers were present at the time of the unannounced inspection. Linn Moor Residential School, page 8 of 19

3 The inspection We looked at how the service performs against the following quality themes and statements. Here are the details of what we found. Quality Theme 1: Quality of Care and Support - NOT ASSESSED Linn Moor Residential School, page 9 of 19

Quality Theme 2: Quality of Environment Grade awarded for this theme: 5 - Very Good Statement 1 We ensure that service users and carers participate in assessing and improving the quality of the environment within the service. Service strengths Staff support young people to choose 'homely things' such as cushions and pictures for their group (Individual Living Units). This included helping support choice through catalogues and pictures before going to shops. Young people were given the opportunity to choose the colour their bedroom would be painted. Colour cards had been made to help choice. Rooms were painted in chosen colours prior to young people moving to the school (or on an ongoing basis thereafter). Parents had been involved in decorating their child's bedroom and taken in personal items from home. Parents had also (successfully) requested that their child move to a different bedroom. Outdoor equipment had been purchased after staff observed how much individual children enjoyed playing on this at local parks. Young people had a role in the up keep of the school and group environment. Young people were involved in 'chores' such as setting the table and loading the dishwasher and were actively involved in recycling. The School Council was fairly new, however had already been involved in supporting student choice. Areas for improvement The school has recently registered as an Eco school. This will provide greater opportunities, and recognition, for young people to be involved in the improving the environment around them. Grade awarded for this statement: 5 - Very Good Number of requirements: 0 Number of recommendations: 0 Statement 2 Linn Moor Residential School, page 10 of 19

We make sure that the environment is safe and service users are protected. Service strengths All visitors reported to a central reception where they signed in and were given a visitors badge. External doors were locked to ensure the safety of service users. Consideration was given to the need to lock certain internal doors, balancing the need for safety and allowing young people as much freedom as possible to move within their living and educational environment. Visitors were reminded to take appropriate care when visiting through appropriate driving signage and speed bumps. External lighting had been improved so that young people could play safely on the swings and the enclosed outdoor track area during darker evenings. Specific modifications had been made to individual rooms within the houses to ensure the safety of young people. This included cupboards being safely secured, electrical items being protected and items such as knives being securely locked away. Comprehensive systems were in place for Health and Safety and vehicle checks, and repairs to indoor and outdoor areas of the school. Staff spoken with were aware of the process of reporting faults or repairs and of their part in ensuring the safety of the environment. Appropriate risk assessments were in place to safeguard young people. These included generic risk assessments completed by the Health and Safety manager and more specific risk assessments carried out for specific outings or events. All staff received comprehensive training in relation to behaviour support strategies (BSS) and child protection. Staff had received training in first aid and infection control. The manager and student support services manager were made aware of all accidents and incidents. Comprehensive systems were in place to collate and analyse information in relation to accidents and incidents with appropriate staff or student support being put in place where required. High staffing levels allow young people to be appropriately supported to ensure their safety. Areas for improvement Inspection report continued At the time of the inspection the school swimming pool was not in use. The layout of the swimming pool areas were being redesigned to provide optimum safety for young people. Linn Moor Residential School, page 11 of 19

Grade awarded for this statement: 5 - Very Good Number of requirements: 0 Number of recommendations: 0 Inspection report continued Linn Moor Residential School, page 12 of 19

Quality Theme 3: Quality of Staffing - NOT ASSESSED Linn Moor Residential School, page 13 of 19

Quality Theme 4: Quality of Management and Leadership Grade awarded for this theme: 4 - Good Statement 1 We ensure that service users and carers participate in assessing and improving the quality of the management and leadership of the service. Service strengths Parents had the opportunity to be involved in a strategic review of the service in 2010. A review panel which had been set up included stakeholders and parents and therefore offered a very real opportunity for parents to influence the future direction of the service. Parents had the opportunity to be part of a parent forum. This was not as well used as the service would hope, however was available to parents. The service had distributed questionnaires to parents and carers of the students. These questionnaires had been collated and had been used to inform a plan of action in relation to improving the service. A complaints procedure was in place should the family or advocate for any student wish to raise concerns. Opportunities to express views regarding management or staff could also be made at the internal or external review of care. Areas for improvement At the time of the inspection the Organisation's website was being developed. This would offer greater opportunities for parents to comment on aspects of the service, and provide more information specific to the school. Grade awarded for this statement: 4 - Good Number of requirements: 0 Number of recommendations: 0 Statement 3 To encourage good quality care, we promote leadership values throughout the workforce. Service strengths The Organisation supported staff to gain professional qualifications. These opportunities ranged from staff obtaining the qualifications required for registration with the Scottish Social Services Council (SVQ /HNC) to post qualifying training such as the Registered Manager's Award and PDA in Autism. Linn Moor Residential School, page 14 of 19

There were good training opportunities for staff at all levels. In addition to core training, staff had the opportunity to put themselves forward for more specialist training (for instance as a behaviour support strategies trainer). Staff had daily opportunities to make decisions about life within their group or in relation to the individual child they supported. Young people had allocated keyworkers who therefore had increased responsibilities for areas such as parental contact and report writing. Senior staff had more opportunities than support staff to be involved in multi disciplinary working, or of taking on additional responsibilities. All staff were involved in meetings where young people were discussed and information exchanged. Areas for improvement The staffing structure within the service meant there was limited opportunity for career progression. While staff still had opportunities to take on some additional responsibilities these could rarely lead to promotional opportunities. The lack of opportunity for career progression may therefore hinder staffs interest in professional development. Senior staff had opportunities to represent the school at external forums or via multi agency working/training. These opportunities were not as available to main-grade staff. At the time of the inspection a review of the service was being carried out. Senior staff spoken with at inspection feedback stated that the staffing structure was being reviewed within this. No recommendations have therefore been made. Grade awarded for this statement: 4 - Good Number of requirements: 0 Number of recommendations: 0 Linn Moor Residential School, page 15 of 19

4 Other information Complaints No complaints have been upheld, or partially upheld, since the last inspection. Enforcements There had been no enforcement action against this service. Additional Information At the time of the inspection the service were undertaking a comprehensive service review with an external consultant. All staff were being consulted and had been part individual and group interviews. On the day of the unannounced inspection the consultant had scheduled interviews with staff. These staff were therefore not spoken with by the inspector. Action Plan Failure to submit an appropriate action plan within the required timescale, including any agreed extension, where requirements and recommendations have been made, will result in SCSWIS re-grading the Quality Statement within the Management and Leadership Theme as unsatisfactory (1). This will result in the Quality Theme for Management and Leadership being re-graded as Unsatisfactory (1). Linn Moor Residential School, page 16 of 19

5 Summary of grades Quality of Care and Support - Not Assessed Quality of Environment - 5 - Very Good Statement 1 Statement 2 5 - Very Good 5 - Very Good Quality of Staffing - Not Assessed Quality of Management and Leadership - 4 - Good Statement 1 Statement 3 4 - Good 4 - Good 6 Inspection and grading history Date Type Gradings 3 Aug 2011 Unannounced Care and support 5 - Very Good Environment Not Assessed Staffing 4 - Good Management and Leadership Not Assessed 14 Dec 2010 Unannounced Care and support 5 - Very Good Environment Not Assessed Staffing Not Assessed Management and Leadership Not Assessed 22 Jun 2010 Announced Care and support 5 - Very Good Environment Not Assessed Staffing Not Assessed Management and Leadership 4 - Good 2 Mar 2010 Unannounced Care and support 4 - Good Environment Not Assessed Staffing 4 - Good Management and Leadership 3 - Adequate Linn Moor Residential School, page 17 of 19

6 Oct 2009 Announced Care and support 4 - Good Environment 4 - Good Staffing 4 - Good Management and Leadership 3 - Adequate 21 Jan 2009 Unannounced Care and support 3 - Adequate Environment 3 - Adequate Staffing 3 - Adequate Management and Leadership 3 - Adequate 12 May 2008 Announced Care and support 3 - Adequate Environment 2 - Weak Staffing 3 - Adequate Management and Leadership 3 - Adequate All inspections and grades before 1 April 2011 are those reported by the former regulator of care services, the Care Commission. Linn Moor Residential School, page 18 of 19

To find out more about our inspections and inspection reports Read our leaflet 'How we inspect'. You can download it from our website or ask us to send you a copy by telephoning us on 0845 600 9527. This inspection report is published by SCSWIS. You can get more copies of this report and others by downloading it from our website: www.scswis.com or by telephoning 0845 600 9527. Translations and alternative formats This inspection report is available in other languages and formats on request. Telephone: 0845 600 9527 Email: enquiries@scswis.com Web: www.scswis.com Linn Moor Residential School, page 19 of 19