Published on:
04
June 2014
Alloa Family Centre has received a 'very good' rating for the quality of care and support it delivers to families and children as part of an unannounced inspection by the Care Inspectorate in April.
The report also gives 'good' ratings for other areas including quality of environment, management and leadership and staffing
Alloa Family Centre is part of the Council's Early Year's Childcare service, and aims to provide intensive support, education and advice to young children and their families.
The Care Inspectorate made the three day unannounced inspection and as well as visiting the centre they asked for the views of parents, children and other professionals.
They observed interactions between children and staff, and noted that the children looked happy and contented. The inspectors recognised that the parents were encouraged and supported by staff. Among the many positive comments from parents, one said to the inspectors that they would be 'lost without the service the staff provide for me and many others'.
The report notes that parents and carers have the opportunity to meet and speak with other professionals in the Centre such as the Community Mental Health Worker and Health Visitors. Other professionals also make themselves available when required for staff or families, and this approach helps to support early intervention and provide a coordinated support for families when they need it.
Social Care Convener Les Sharp commented: "The work that goes on at the Alloa Family Centre is very important in delivering more positive futures for the children of Clackmannanshire. I am delighted to see that the Care Inspectorate has delivered such a positive report on the centre, and the staff who work there.
"The report clearly shows that the centre staff are working in real partnership with parents to help develop their skills and confidence so that they can support their children's development and education. Social care is often a challenging area, and our staff are to be congratulated for their continued care and support of people in often difficult situations. The efforts of the team and management have been recognised by the Inspectorate, their commitment to continuous improvement is a reassurance to the parents, children and families who use the centre and I congratulate them on their achievement."
The Centre has been given suggestions for future work and will now be looking to pull together a plan that will look at how they in consultation with parents involve them more in the workings of the Centre. The Centre will also be looking to register as an Early Years Eco Group.