The Blackwood Care Edinburgh West Housing Support Service recently received a poor inspection from the Care Inspectorate, leaving both their leadership and staff team with a “weak” rating. Inspectors were alarmed when staff members admitted feeling “uncomfortable delivering care to people” due to a lack of proper training. This raised concerns about the quality of care being provided at the facility. Despite some strengths being identified in the report, they were overshadowed by significant weaknesses, leading to an unsatisfactory rating in two key categories.
The spokesperson for Blackwood expressed regret over the situation, acknowledging that some customers may not have received the level of care they deserve. The organization has since taken steps to improve their services in response to the inspection findings. Blackwood Homes and Care is known for providing housing, care, and support for disabled individuals to help them live independently. With over 1700 homes across 29 mainland local authorities in Scotland, the organization plays a crucial role in supporting vulnerable populations.
The report highlighted a “historic” culture of poor professional boundaries at the Edinburgh West Housing Support Service, which had potentially negative impacts on the individuals receiving care. Inspectors noted that staff members lacked meaningful training and shadowing opportunities, making them feel ill-equipped to meet the needs of the service users. This gap in training raised concerns about the service provider’s ability to deliver the agreed-upon level of care. While efforts were being made to address these issues, inspectors felt that proactive planning and preparation should have been in place to prevent any negative impact on the individuals under their care.
