Positive year for Aberdeenshire children's homes
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Councillors have been updated on the positive progress of children's homes in Aberdeenshire over the past year.
Members of the local authority's education and children’s services committee considered a report into the three homes in the region during its online meeting and agreed to continue to support best practice to ensure care experienced young people receive the right support at the right time.
Aberdeenshire currently has two six-bedded homes in Inverurie and Fraserburgh and a four-bedded home in Peterhead.
The young people looked after are usually aged between 12 and 18 and have often experienced traumas in childhood which in turn impact on how they behave as young adults meaning they may live in a children’s home rather than the family home.
Children’s homes aim to provide a supportive, safe and nurturing environment where relationships are key. The homes also work with the families of young people who are residents and communities to develop positive relationships so that they can grow to become successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens.
All three children’s homes have been independently inspected by the Care Inspectorate. This year all three were assessed on the quality of care and support category and each received a 5 (very good) rating.
Two were inspected on quality of staff and again were rated 5 (very good). One home was reviewed on How well is our Care and Support Planned. It received a ratting of 4 (good).
Councillor Gillian Owen, Aberdeenshire Council’s education and children’s services committee chairwoman, said: “How fantastic to see the development of young people resident in the three homes in Aberdeenshire.
"I am also delighted that some of the young people and their families have been able to re-establish positive relationships.
"The work undertaken by the service has truly changed young people’s lives for the better. I can’t commend that enough.”
Other achievements included all young people resident at the homes attending school regularly; four young people completing college courses despite the restrictions to combat Covid-19 requiring studying for the final term to be done online; some of the young people have returned to their family home, completed education and re-established positive and supportive relationships with their parents.
Committee vice-chairwoman councillor Rosemary Bruce said: "I am particularly pleased with the collaborative approach that is being taken by the homes with schools, health colleagues and the police, with the young person at the centre.
"This means the young people get the support they need to get the most out of life.”
