Galston's Fosterhill home praised for child-centred support

Fosterhill, operated by Spark of Genius Limited and located in a rural area of East Ayrshire, was found to provide a nurturing environment and meaningful support during an unannounced inspection carried out on September 7.

The Care Inspectorate report highlighted that the voices, hopes, and goals of children and young people were central to care planning at the six-bed residential service.

A staff member said: "We make sure they (the children and young people) feel loved and listened to."

The report noted that young people’s views were gathered through key worker discussions and vision boards, helping to turn their aspirations into achievable steps.

All young people had access to advocacy services and understood their purpose, and staff were commended for removing barriers to participation and recognising different communication styles.

Reflective conversations following incidents allowed young people to express their feelings, repair relationships, and rebuild trust.

The inspector found that the atmosphere at Fosterhill was warm and nurturing, with staff described as speaking about the young people with pride and affection.

Staff said relationships with the young people were "amazing" and that strong group dynamics and emotional support helped build confidence and create lasting memories.

Young people were offered tailored opportunities in education, volunteering, and life experiences, and family contact was supported in a thoughtful and sensitive manner.

The home was described as warm and welcoming, with spaces adapted to meet individual needs.

Staff spoke positively about management, describing them as "very supportive and approachable," and highlighted the wide range of training opportunities available to help build skills and confidence.

Supervision was said to be frequent and helpful for reflective practice and decision-making.

The report also confirmed that there had been no upheld complaints since the last inspection.