A KEY service overseeing the transition into adulthood for those in care has received top marks during a recent inspection.

Members of the Care Inspectorate visited the Adult Placement Continuing Care team, operated by Clackmannanshire Council, during an unannounced inspection between September 23 and October 11.

This service is tied to the council’s fostering care service, which also received a similarly impressive report, and helps oversee the move that care-experienced children experience as they grow into adults.

The continuing care team was assessed on two areas – wellbeing and care and support – scoring highly on both.

Using a six point scale where 1 is unsatisfactory and 6 is excellent, the service scored 4 – good and 5 – very good across the two categories.

Caregiver families were well looked after and received a range of support to help them in their work.

Inspectors noted: “Caregiver families engaged positively with support groups and a range of social events were arranged that carers and children could attend.

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“This helped to build a sense of community and build relationships between carers. Formal consultation with carers also took place via a fostering Annual General Meeting (AGM).

“This promoted participation for caregiver families in service improvement.”

The health of young people in the care system was also highlighted, with the report finding that outcomes were remaining positive.

The report continued: “Young people experienced positive health outcomes as a result of the care they received.

“Young people’s health needs were comprehensively assessed, and we saw examples of mental health needs being met through specialist interventions from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).”

Under care and support, young people were given the opportunity to express their views in relation to how their care was planned.

Meetings were conducted in a way that ensured they were kept comfortable, allowing them to use digital technology to help tailor care they received.

Inspectors added: “Young people were able to express their views in relation to care planning.

“Meetings were conducted in a young person friendly manner. Young people had the opportunity to express their views sing digital technology.”

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“Staff from the Family Connections Team worked collaboratively with children and families social workers to support care planning.”

Four outstanding area for improvement had been placed on the adult placement continuing care team during the last inspection.

These covered a range of issues including carer training, life story work for young people, pathways planning and a training strategy for staff.

The adult placement continuing care team met all four areas for improvement, with no more being stated in this report.

Councillor Wendy Hamilton, spokesperson for health and social care, said: “As part of the overall council’s Transformation Programme, we have led a comprehensive programme of change and improvement in the Family Connections Team over recent years.

“We were delighted to have maintained grading of good and very good over key areas within the fostering and adult placement service – particularly in relation to outcomes for children and young people.

“The Family Connections Team have achieved this positive inspection as a result of continued focus in building a strong and supportive care community, investing in training for staff and carers, and ensuring robust mechanisms in place to manage risk.”

Residents who are interested in fostering and supporting care leavers, or prospective adoptive families can contact the team for further information at fosteradopt@clacks.gov.uk.

The full inspection report can be found at careinspectorate.com.