By Emylie Howie

Copyright dailyrecord

A Johnstone children’s home has received top marks from the Care Inspectorate after it noted young people’s physical and mental health was given high priority. An inspector from the watchdog made an unannounced visit over two days in August to Nether Johnstone House. Based on a scale of one to six where one is unsatisfactory and six is excellent, it was rated as six for how well it supports children and young people’s rights and wellbeing. Among its key messages, the report by the inspector said: “Young people benefitted from very stable, consistent and nurturing therapeutic care. “Young people were actively involved in their care and support. The service were innovative and proactive in ensuring young people shaped the care they received.” It added that relationships between staff and young people were key to keeping young people safe, and staff supported them to have active and fulfilling lives. To prepare for the inspection, the Care Inspectorate reviewed information about the service. This included previous inspection findings, registration details, information submitted by the service and intelligence gathered since the last inspection. In making its evaluations, the Care Inspectorate spoke with three people using the service and 11 staff and management; observed practice and daily life; and reviewed documents. They also received survey responses from two young people, 11 staff and five external professionals. At the time of this inspection, there were four young people living at the Johnstone facility. The overall evaluation was “excellent” meaning that the service is “sector leading and supports experiences and outcomes for people which are of a outstandingly high quality”. The inspector found significant strengths in Nether Johnstone House. Within the report, the inspector noted: “Young people in Nether Johnstone House have been kept safe. Relationships built between staff and young people have been instrumental in the progress the young people had made. “Young people told us they felt listened to and their views acted upon where possible. “They were supported by a staff team who championed the young people and provided care that was underpinned by child-centred and rights-based practice.” The watchdog noted there were good examples of attainment in Nether Johnstone House. Young people had been supported to attend or apply to school, college and/or employment. All of them had realistic ambitions and plans for ongoing education. The young people’s physical and mental health was noted to be a “high priority” in the concluding notes. The report added: “Young people all had access to the appropriate health professionals, and the service was pro-active in encouraging a healthy lifestyle that clearly had a benefit on the young people’s mental and physical wellbeing. “Young people’s interests were nurtured, and we heard about having opportunities for holidays and a variety of fun activities that promote bonding between the young people and the staff and promoted self-esteem.” Don’t miss the latest Renfrewshire headlines – you can sign up to our free daily newsletter here