STAFF from a housing support service are "not receiving" training on control measures.

This is according to a recent report published by the Care Inspectorate which revealed that West Dunbartonshire Council's Housing Support Service in Clydebank failed to meet four key aims set in a follow-up visit after performing below standard at a previous inspection in April. 

The inspectors, who conducted their analysis in July, spoke to three staff and management as part of the report and reviewed relevant documents.

As part of the first requirement, the provider had to ensure that care plans were person-centred by describing how to deliver care in line with people's needs and goals in a way that suits them.

This was to include but was not limited to; ensuring care needs were reviewed every six months, updating the care plan to reflect any changes in people's needs, people having the opportunity to contribute to creating the care plan that is right for them and an individual plan which sets out details of specific preferences, needs and how to support with hydration and meals.

It was noted that "the management team had implemented a plan for care organisers to carry out three reviews every week and that care organisers now have one protected day each week to carry out reviews."

However, upon inspection, it was revealed that "some of the reviews which had been recorded as complete were not typed into the review forms therefore making it difficult to determine what follow-up action was needed".

It was also found that while everyone receiving care and support had a recorded list of support tasks "not everyone had a detailed and person-centred support plan in place."

Improvements in terms of this were noted from the previous inspection in April, however, it was concluded that "not everyone had their care needs reviewed and care plans updated within a six-month period."

This requirement must be met by December 21, 2024.

The second requirement was that the provider had to ensure that visits were delivered effectively and safely through regular reviews to reflect changes in support needs, regular audits by management and regular direct observations of practice.

Inspectors found that the management team had been working on developing auditing tools and were about to trial a new system.

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However, they noted that "there was not enough evidence to determine that effective audit systems were in place".

This will be reviewed again on March 21, 2025.

The third requirement was that the provider had to ensure that all care staff receive training on infection, prevention and control guidelines and follow best practice guidelines when delivering care.

The management team told inspectors "that no recent supervision sessions or direct observations of practice had taken place with staff."

Care inspectorate investigators found no evidence to support that this requirement had been met.

They concluded that the service did not supply proof of staff training.

This will be reviewed again on March 21, 2025.

The fourth and final failed requirement was that the provider had to ensure that the management team have a clear understanding of the organisation's complaints procedure and how to effectively manage complaints.

Included in this was supposed to be listening to the complainant's concerns and keeping them updated on actions taken and how this would be monitored.

While there was a complaints log in place, inspectors felt that it was an unclear system.

They noted that complaints were logged and a responsible person was identified to investigate the complaint.

However, "there was not enough detail to evidence that the complainant was always updated on actions taken and how this was monitored."

The requirement must be met by March 21, 2025.

A spokesperson for West Dunbartonshire Council said: "We are continuing to work closely with the Care Inspectorate to address these new requirements.

“All recommended improvements will be embedded through the ongoing redesign of home care in West Dunbartonshire, which will ensure person-centred services, aligned to individual need, with the right help available at the right time.

“We are very grateful to our dedicated carers who, despite the challenges, have continued to deliver vital services to some of our most vulnerable residents.”