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Sharing good practice

Here you'll find good practice stories from care services across Scotland. Click the tabs below to read stories from each sector. If you have a good practice story that you would like to share here, in our newsletters and on social media, please complete our form here

 

Nursery goes for Gold!

Glenview Cottage Nursery, in Alloa, is the first private nursery in Scotland to achieve the Gold standard for UNICEF UK’s Rights Respecting Schools Award (RRSA).

This recognition underpins the nursery's commitment to fostering an environment where children's rights are understood and respected. The impact of this achievement is evident in four key areas: wellbeing, participation, relationships, and self-esteem. These elements collectively empower children to confidently understand their rights and respect the world around them, positively influencing their community.

The manager's extensive experience working in orphanages worldwide, where children's rights were often neglected, fuelled her passion for advocating children's rights. This passion became a cornerstone in developing the nursery's aims and values.

During the last inspection by the Care Inspectorate in June 2022, it was noted that, "staff interactions with children were respectful, and effective questioning extended children’s learning." This feedback highlighted that the nursery's practices were deeply rooted in children's rights. The team was pleased with this recognition, and it encouraged them to explore ways to further empower children to exercise their rights. Partnerships with parents were strengthened through steering groups, promoting an understanding of children's rights within families. One parent remarked, "On a factual basis, my child knows more about her actual rights than we do," while another noted, "It helped bring children’s rights to life, undoubtedly supporting these children to become aware of their rights and voice them." This marked the beginning of their journey towards the Gold award.

From November 2022 to October 2024, the nursery progressed from the Bronze to the Gold award. Achieving the Gold award required the nursery to fully integrate rights into its ethos, values, practices, and learning about global goals and citizenship. The RRSA assessment highlighted strengths such as "rights and rights-respecting language are embedded in the day-to-day life of the nursery" and "children are listened to and supported to be involved in decision-making at all levels." Staff enhanced their knowledge through training on the RRSA website, positively impacting their communications with children. For instance, instead of saying, "Be careful, come down, you’ll fall," staff would say, "Remember you have the right to be safe; are you being safe?" This approach encouraged children to understand their rights and responsibilities. The assessor observed children stating, "we have a right to healthy food and clean water, which helps us grow," demonstrating their understanding of their rights and the positive impact this had on their experiences. The manager expressed that "this achievement was only possible because of the tremendous teamwork from staff, children, families, and support from the Care Inspectorate." The manager has shared the positive impact of being a Rights Respecting School with local colleges and across the local authority, highlighting its benefits for children's outcomes.

A notable success was their Yellow Line Campaign. During a walk, children noticed cars parked in front of the nursery, the double yellow lines no longer visible. Recognising their right to safety, the children were supported by staff to send a letter to the council, emphasising their right to safety and to have a voice. The council responded by repainting the lines to ensure the children's safety. On the day the lines were repainted, children observed the work in their high-visibility jackets, feeling empowered and valued. This experience marked the beginning of their journey as impactful global citizens, capable of effecting meaningful change in the world.

Group of nursery children

Adult and older people's services

Residents strike a pose for fundraiser (January 2025)

Residents at Eilean Dubh care home in Fortrose swapped their slippers for stilettos and their recliners for a runway as they rolled out the red carpet for Black Isle Style, a fundraising auction and fashion show.

The afternoon began with residents being treated to a touch of glamour, enjoying pampering sessions that included hair and nail makeovers. They then strutted their stuff on the catwalk, modelling outfits donated by Highland Hospice – all of which were available for purchase, with proceeds supporting the charity.

The auction also saw enthusiastic bidding for a variety of prizes, including a lunch date with resident Billy Mackintosh and a stunning canvas of Glenelg donated by local artist Liz Peck, the daughter of one of the residents.

Alexis Le Neven, care home manager said: “We’ve never seen anything like it in a care home! The turnout was incredible, and the energy was infectious. It was a wonderful way to bring everyone together while raising money for the residents and Highland Hospice. One resident told me that she never imagined being on a catwalk at 95. It was such a joyful and uplifting experience."

“We are grateful to Blossoms Balloon and Gift Boutique for their decorations, Poppy Baker-Spink of The Cake Shop for her delicious cakes, Highland Hospice for their generous clothing donation, and the local community for their enthusiastic support and attendance.”

The event raised over £3,000 for the residents’ comfort fund, which funds activities and entertainment, alongside £230 for Highland Hospice through the sale of donated clothing.

Sensational sensory space at St Modan’s care home in Fraserburgh (August 2024)

St Modan’s care home in Fraserburgh created a sensational sensory space for residents to enjoy. The room provides a soothing environment for individuals living with a wide range of conditions, including brain injury and many types of dementia.

In April 2023, the St Modan’s team began the project by researching the use and design of sensory rooms. They worked on personalised plans to meet people’s individual needs and raised funds with the support of the local community through initiatives like assault courses, summer fetes, quiz nights and a Halloween party.

Julie-Anne Thomson, care home manager, said: “Setting up new approaches to care has challenges - moving away from medical intervention and gaining the buy in from colleagues and relatives was a challenge initially.”

Once they had raised enough money, the project became a reality in April 2024. The team purchased equipment and designed the room with the individuals in mind. It included a variety of lights, sounds, movement and textures.

The team developed care plans and risk assessments for each resident who would use the room. These detailed the equipment each resident would like to access, how to move and position the residents, which lighting and sounds should be used, and the length of time suitable for the best therapeutic value and optimum individualised support. Personal preferences of individuals highlighted the benefits for their time in the room to support relaxation and often sleep. They also produced a user guide and provided training for staff and relatives to support 24/7 access to the room.

Since introducing the sensory room, staff have seen increased engagement, particularly for residents who generally prefer their own company or become agitated by others around them. Interaction between residents and team members has increased, stress and distress symptoms have reduced on most occasions, and in some instances, there has been a reduction in the use of anti-psychotic medication. Resident and family engagement has also increased, particularly with their grandchildren. It has reduced the fear factor and stigma for younger visitors into the service with one younger visitor said that he enjoys visiting grandma and the “super cool room”.

One resident said: “It’s affa bonny and I am feeling very relaxed”. Another added: “It’s the most magical room, very relaxing and makes you feel miles away from the busy home. I enjoy having my music on and watching all the lights change colours”.

One relative said: “Mum can have fluctuations in her mood at times and during these instances the sensory room enables her to have a calm quiet environment to engage in”. Another added: “I really enjoy being in the room and spending time with my dad. My son loves having a room to engage with grandad. They love watching the bubble tube and changing the different colours of the lights. I enjoy watching them have lots of fun together. My dad loves watching his grandson explore with all the sensory tools”.

 

Concert at the Park (July 2024)

Hawkhill House proudly teamed up with three other local nursing homes, Tor na Dee, Cowdray Club, and Torry Nursing Home, in an innovative initiative called "Concert at the Park: sharing best practices in dementia care".

Launched in summer 2019, the initiative aimed to improve dementia care by sharing best practice among local nursing homes. After pausing due to the pandemic, the care homes were happy to share that the project resumed last month with renewed enthusiasm. This marks a significant milestone for all involved, reflecting the commitment to learning and collaboration in enhancing care standards for those who experience care.

Held at Duthie Park in Aberdeen on 7 June, the event showcased each home’s unique contributions to dementia care. Hawkhill House presented their innovative strategies for promoting and supporting nutrition for residents living with dementia. Tor na Dee introduced their Na Maste approach, highlighting its benefits for residents' wellbeing. Cowdray Club emphasized their exceptional dining experience, while Torry Nursing Home discussed the therapeutic advantages of their sensory garden.

The event was attended by residents and staff from all four homes and received support from Lorraine McDonald from the Care Inspectorate as well as Steven Booth and Wendy Marsay of the Aberdeen Health and Social Care Partnership.

Feedback from the event has been overwhelmingly positive, with attendees praising the wealth of knowledge shared and the sense of community fostered.

Mel Shearer from Hawkhill House nursing home said: "We are delighted with the positive feedback and look forward to our next collaboration next summer. This event has truly demonstrated the strength of uniting and sharing knowledge to deliver the highest quality care for our residents.

“The success of Concert at the Park not only highlights the dedication and innovation within each home but also sets a precedent for future collaborations. We are already looking forward to 2025!”

 

Tam's transformation (April 2024) 

Tam, 68, was born in Galashiels and had careers in the military, forestry and on building sites.

Tam arrived at Allandale House in Peterhead in October 2021, originally for a two-week respite. He was very unwell when he arrived and needed a lot of care and support. He had difficulty walking and needed a wheelchair to get around. 

Tam found it difficult to socialise and spent most days in his room. Even though Tam started to feel better, there were challenges along the way but with support and encouragement from the staff, Tam realised that staff were there to listen and to help him on this journey.

Tam slowly began to open up and talk about his life, his history and what he liked to do. Once Tam realised the care staff could help to improve his life further, he decided to extend his respite visit by making Allandale his home.

One day Tam said that he would like a greenhouse, so staff managed to find one that could be donated to the service for the garden. It came in lots of pieces but Tam and a member of staff built the greenhouse together. Delighted with this, he then planted some potatoes and other vegetables.

Tam liked to read a daily newspaper so staff would go with him to the shop. At first, he’d go in his wheelchair but now Tam can walk independently, with the support and encouragement from staff at Allandale House.

Volunteers from the Men’s Shed local community group helped to revamp the garden area and built a new bench and tables. Tam would sometimes help them, having conversations and giving them ideas. The group inspired Tam as he remembered how he used to do all these things. Slowly, his confidence and strength grew, and he was enjoying life as he had a sense of purpose and realised he had not lost his skills. He knew that he could make things if he had the tools and materials.

The service set Tam a mission to clear out the garage to make into his own workshop, to help Tam regain his skills and put them to good use. The service were donated some tools and equipment which helped Tam get on with odd jobs around the home and garden such as car washing, painting, and planting pots. He generally helped others which gave him a sense of purpose and meaning to his day. This has made a huge difference to Tam’s physical and mental wellbeing.

Tam was donated some old wooden pallets which he turned into Christmas decorations. Not long after he had made the first one, the orders flooded in. Tam decided to sell his creations and give the money he made to charity. Tam made over £250 and donated this money to Feed the Families – a local charity that helps people to give Christmas gifts to their children.

Tam is about to start making bird tables and flower boxes – again to be sold for charity of his choice.

Tam said: “I want to inspire others that think they are no longer able or think they have lost the skills, to believe that it can be done with good care, support, encouragement, self-belief and people to inspire you. I will always remember the help given to me by staff. I now truly feel part of the community".

Sarah Wright, manager said: “Tam is truly an inspiration to others to show that with the right care, support and encouragement anything is possible! He has given us fulfilment in our job, seeing him transform. We have been part of Tam's journey and we are so very proud of him”.

 

Love is in the air (February 2024)

To celebrate Valentines Day, carers from Wyndwell care home and The Arc cinema in Peterhead worked together to recreate resident Hilda's very first date with her husband Louis.

Lynne Anderson, care home manager said: “We are always looking at how we can make more memories for our residents. Hilda and Louis have been married for a very long time but due to frailty must now live apart. Louis visits Hilda nearly every day and the staff wanted to do something special for them on Valentines day.

"Our wellbeing lead, Carol, sat with Hilda and Louis and asked about their love story which tugged at everyone’s hearts. After discussing with Hilda and Louis' sons, we enlisted the help of an external PR company who contacted local Peterhead cinema, The Arc, to make the day happen."

The then teenagers had their first date at the cinema after meeting at their local church. The couple who have been married for over 60 years went to see the new Wonka movie and said the night “brought back so many happy memories” and they are still “just as in love with each other”.

Lynne said: "It’s been so lovely hearing about Hilda and Louis’ romance. The pair are a shining example of true love and the joy on the couples faces when they came back to the home was wonderful to see. They have been telling everyone how much they enjoyed recreating their first date." 

 

Care home learns British Sign Language (BSL) (December 2023)

When Jennifer, who is deaf and communicates using BSL, moved into Fairview nursing home in Stirling, the staff were concerned that if they could not communicate with her, there would be unmet needs.

It was with this in mind that Hannah McMorrin, home manager, requested BSL training for all the staff. Determined to be able to communicate with Jennifer, staff signed up to learn BSL.  This was a challenge, but staff were focused on the goal.  Staff practised every day and noticed a marked improvement in Jennifer’s mood, who appeared to be so pleased that staff were making the effort.

During one of the lessons, another resident, Nan, joined in with staff and began to learn the signs as well.  Karen, activity organiser, now regularly practices with Nan and Jennifer as a one-to-one activity.  The goal is to have as many of the staff and residents able to communicate using BSL.  The staff demonstrated the five Cs with their compassion (understanding what it is like to be isolated due to lack of communication), courage (it is brave to take on a new language), creative (created a care plan with common signs), curious (when Nan joined the group they were curious to see if she wanted to learn) and counted on (Jennifer could count on the manager to do everything in her power to make it possible for staff to communicate with her).

Hannah said: “The staff have worked really hard to learn some sign language.  Even just being able to say good morning to someone makes the world of difference to someone’s day.  Staff have been practising with each other and Jennifer has been more than happy to help staff with their learning.”

Sheila Murray, area director, said: "Of course we have a long way to go before being fluent, but we will keep going. Communication with our residents is important as it helps build satisfying relationships. It is key when getting to know our residents and them getting to know us.  If residents can't communicate with others, they can't make their needs known.  It is important for their health and wellbeing that we can communicate with all the residents. I am very proud of the staff who have taken this on and continue to learn and communicate with Jennifer." 

Children and young people's services

The Promise in practice at East Park community residences (September 2024)

Blog by Liam Fenney and Karen Ferguson, managers of East Park community residences

As a residential school, supporting young people with a diagnosis of autism and co-occurring conditions, our commitment to The Promise has to be informed by the diagnostic consistency presented in our children as well as their individual traits, life experiences and gifts.

How they wish to experience love whilst being cared for will depend on their personal preferences, exposure to trauma or adverse childhood experiences and will reflect how secure their attachments in early childhood have been.

Every young person is uniquely gifted and we value their diversity in presentation over their placement on the spectrum, however it is important to understand where in the spectrum a young person’s neurodivergence presents and how they individually would like to express and receive love whilst living in residential childcare. Their perception, communication and interactions will be different to a neurotypicals child’s understanding of love.

It is essential that all of our staff, but particularly those directly involved in their care are skilled, secure, resilient and brave enough to build trusting and loving relationships with our young people in order that they can develop aspirations that match their potential in the most loving environment possible. Staff participate in training in Understanding Autism, Love and Nurture in the context of Children’s Rights, Sensory Integration, Transforming Psychological Trauma and Intensive Interaction in order that they can collaborate with our young people to achieve the best quality of life outcomes.

Knowing a young person’s functional language capability and if they do or do not have an intellectual development disorder informs our provision of resources and aids the design of our suite of interventions for them.

We have introduced an autism profile which describes their diagnosis according to the ICD11 and current peer reviewed theoretic thinking. It breaks down their strengths and areas of development in terms of Theory of Mind, Executive Functioning, Central Coherence and Double Empathy. The profile is underpinned by the SPELL Framework which enables staff to identify what strategies will develop their true potential in their corresponding Positive Behaviour Support Plan and Trauma Profile to ensure that the care delivered is the least restrictive, of benefit to them and is cognisant of their capacity, lived experience and ambition. 

We replaced our traditional risk assessments with Risk Enablement plans that focus on developing the skills required to minimise or eliminate the control measures imposed on young people while enjoying risky activities. This includes a reducing restrictive practice plan where self-regulation and autonomy is promoted over intervention.

We designed Trauma Profiles to differentiate between diagnostic behaviours and those directly related to adverse childhood experiences. This empowers staff to prioritise compassionate, nurturing interventions that deviate from traditional autism support. It prompts emotionally intelligent responses in relation to choice, empowerment, trust, safety and collaboration to enable loving, empathic exchanges where love and nurture are required before neurodivergent support strategies.

 

Keeping children safe (August 2024)

Simoa (Safety, Inspect, Monitor, Observe, Act) was launched to support the early learning and childcare sector to reduce the number of incidents of children leaving settings unaccompanied by an adult. We also produced a series of practice notes to support improvement and to help staff keep children safe.

Alexander, age 15, who attends Flexible Childcare Services in Peterhead created this video. The purple elephant is looking after the blue elephant and making him think about the risks when playing.

Naomi Wood, service manager said: "Alexander was inspired to make the video as we carried out a SIMOA activity using the group's floor book where the children cut and paste pictures of elephants and drew some pictures too. We discussed the importance of safety and what activities may be unsafe and recorded this in our floor book".

Early learning and childcare services

Nursery recognised for outstanding work in the community (January 2025)

Woodlands Family Nurture Centre was recently evaluated as excellent for the outstanding work they are doing in the community of Methil in Fife. The setting was a central part of the Methil community.

The pop-up shop at Woodlands provided families and the wider community with weekly access to a wide variety of highly nutritious and affordable food. This supported the health and wellbeing of children and their families and we recognised the wider impact on promoting improved health and wellbeing throughout the community.

'Heat and Eat' was provided during the Christmas holiday period and families and community members were welcomed into the service to share a meal, stay warm and socialise. This encouraged everyone to feel supported, safe and included over a period which can feel cold and isolating for many.

Partnership working was extended to holiday periods to ensure children and families had opportunities for activities and experiences when the service was closed. This included 'Woodlands on Tour'. These community initiatives encouraged families and the wider community to participate in the 'Fife 50 Challenge' which is 50 things to do in Fife before you are five years old. Some of the specially planned activities were summer picnics and visits to local woodlands. These outings were free of cost to families, with transport and food provided for all.

The best use was being made of the wide range of staff expertise, skills and experience. This meant that children were benefiting from a highly passionate and skilled staff team who knew what to do and where they needed to be to ensure children could play and learn and experience nurturing care and support at all times. All staff were extremely proud to work in the service and this pride was evident throughout.

There was excellent communication between staff throughout the day and staff were very flexible and supportive of each other when routine tasks were being completed. This meant that children received very high levels of care and support at all times.

All children were heard and actively listened to as staff confidently used a range of communication systems, this included visual symbols, timetables and Makaton. This approach ensured that all children could express their needs, wishes and choices in a way that was right for them.

We were confident that children and families would continue to have excellent experiences.

Sandie Johnston, headteacher at Woodlands Family Nurture Centre said: “Staff felt empowered by the inspection team to share the development work that they had been involved in and to also discuss the impact of various initiatives that we are involved in for children and families. The children were actively encouraged to share their learning journeys and enjoyed the opportunities to showcase their learning environment. Children, families, staff and stakeholders voice was very much at the forefront of our inspection. Within our evaluative grades we secured very good for play and learning (1.3), children experience high quality facilities (2.2) and quality assurance and improvement are led well (3.1). For nurturing care and support (1.1) and staff deployment (4.3) we were elated to secure excellent for both these areas. Receiving these grades has had a positive impact on the community. The grades reflect our strong values, ethos and community spirit and also reflect the hard work, compassion and dedication shown by staff throughout the setting and beyond. As an establishment we will continue to strive to give our children the very best start in life.”

 

Nursery goes for Gold! (January 2025)

Glenview Cottage Nursery in Alloa is the first private nursery in Scotland to achieve the Gold standard for UNICEF UK’s Rights Respecting Schools Award (RRSA).

This recognition underpins the nursery's commitment to fostering an environment where children's rights are understood and respected. The impact of this achievement is evident in four key areas: wellbeing, participation, relationships, and self-esteem. These elements collectively empower children to confidently understand their rights and respect the world around them, positively influencing their community.

The manager's extensive experience working in orphanages worldwide, where children's rights were often neglected, fuelled her passion for advocating children's rights. This passion became a cornerstone in developing the nursery's aims and values.

During the last inspection by the Care Inspectorate in June 2022, it was noted that, "staff interactions with children were respectful, and effective questioning extended children’s learning." This feedback highlighted that the nursery's practices were deeply rooted in children's rights. The team was pleased with this recognition andncouraged them to explore ways to further empower children to exercise their rights. Partnerships with parents were strengthened through steering groups, promoting an understanding of children's rights within families. One parent remarked, "On a factual basis, my child knows more about her actual rights than we do," while another noted, "It helped bring children’s rights to life, undoubtedly supporting these children to become aware of their rights and voice them." This marked the beginning of their journey towards the Gold award.

From November 2022 to October 2024, the nursery progressed from the Bronze to the Gold award. Achieving the Gold award required the nursery to fully integrate rights into its ethos, values, practices, and learning about global goals and citizenship. The RRSA assessment highlighted strengths such as "rights and rights-respecting language are embedded in the day-to-day life of the nursery" and "children are listened to and supported to be involved in decision-making at all levels." Staff enhanced their knowledge through training on the RRSA website, positively impacting their communications with children. For instance, instead of saying, "Be careful, come down, you’ll fall," staff would say, "Remember you have the right to be safe; are you being safe?" This approach encouraged children to understand their rights and responsibilities. The assessor observed children stating, "we have a right to healthy food and clean water, which helps us grow," demonstrating their understanding of their rights and the positive impact this had on their experiences. The manager expressed that "this achievement was only possible because of the tremendous teamwork from staff, children, families, and support from the Care Inspectorate." The manager has shared the positive impact of being a Rights Respecting School with local colleges and across the local authority, highlighting its benefits for children's outcomes.

 

Torridon Education Group gives its nurseries stick....insects (December 2024)

Children at Torridon Education Group nurseries have discovered a fascination with bugs which is helping them ‘stick together’.

Jack and Jill nursery in Elgin were the first to have resident stick insects, and the children were mesmerised by them. Staff talked to the children about what the stick insects would need to survive and what they would need to do to look after them. The children learnt that they would need a safe home, food and water, and warmth, which they were able to link to their rights and SHANARRI (Safe, Healthy, Achieving, Nurtured, Active, Respected, Responsible, Included) indicators.

The children used technology and books to research what the stick insects needed in their habitat and what they like to eat. The children help to clean the habitat out and collect new food at the woodlands or when out on a walk. The children also drew pictures of the stick insects and spent time closely observing them with great interest.

The children felt that it was important that the stick insects have names, just like their pets do at home. Staff felt it was important for the children to feel empowered and included in making this choice. The class thought of different names and everyone then voted for their favourites.

Kelly Woollett, assistant group manager of Torridon Education Group, said: “It has been a great experience having the stick insects for the children to learn how to look after and care for animals. It has also given us cross curricular learning opportunities including maths, literacy and the use of technology. The children have enjoyed naming them and we have a Max, Twiglet, Sonic, Sticky, Rainbow and Sunshine amongst them. I have learnt lots of facts about them too.”

Staff supported the children to carefully handle the stick insects and be fully involved in caring for them. The stick insects grew and changed colour over time. This sparked a lot of curiosity and observation from the children, who enjoyed measuring the length of the stick insects and recording this data to track their growth.

Finlay said: "They feel tickly on my arm." Hattie added: “They eat brambles and they are spotty and spikey."

The children at Jack and Jill were very excited about their new nursery pets and shared photos and videos with other nurseries. When the stick insects laid eggs, these were harvested and the nursery waited for them to hatch. Once this happened, these were gifted to Bishopmill Preschool in Elgin. So that the children at Bishopmill could see the full life cycle of the stick insects, some more eggs were harvested, and once hatched, were gifted to the children at East Beach Nursery School in Lossiemouth. The children at Bishopmill wrote a letter asking the children at East Beach to reply with how the stick insects settled in, what they decided to call them and pictures of them as they grow. They made a booklet with instructions about how to look after the stick insects.

This created a link between all three nurseries, where the children shared photos and information about their stick insects. This has enabled the children to use their technology skills, as they are able to facetime each other using tablets. They have also been able to practice taking photographs and using technology to see things print.

 

Victoria After School Club (December 2024)

A highly collaborative approach resulted in families putting their trust in their school- aged childcare service to act in the best interests of children and young people. One family member told us: “The staff take the time to get to know the children, they can tell if something is bothering them and take the time to find out what's wrong and then let me know what's been going on. The staff are not only caring about my child who attends after school club, but take the time to know the whole family."

Families felt a sense of belonging and built strong emotional connections and bonds through being welcomed and spending time together in the service. For example, children were supported to provide food taster sessions that family members could attend.

Children’s experiences were enriched through outstanding and innovative links made with the local community. Children are developing a strong sense of responsibility for the local area and learning about sustainability. Children enjoy visiting the local care home. They were also involved in a project at Newhaven Harbour called the Great Michael boat project. A historian visited and worked with the children so they could learn about the history of the harbour and the boat and have worked on a project looking at plastic in the ocean. Children made art from the rubbish they had collected along the shore.

High-quality observations allowed staff to build a picture of children’s interests and needs and used them to plan individualised experiences and spaces. One relative said: “Sensory trays are a big hit with my younger child." Another added: “My older child likes the crash mats and the crafting table."

An understanding of the collective vision which reflected the aspirations of children, staff, families and the wider community resulted in children’s outcomes being consistently high quality. A culture had been created and nourished where staff felt valued and heard. One staff member said: “The manager is very motivational and encouraging.”

The staff team were passionate and proactive, regularly seeking the views of children, young people and families to inform the development of the service. One family told us: "The culture is respectful, caring and inclusive...the information and collaboration with parents is fantastic! We feel so engaged and informed. It's a perfect balance." Staff's understanding and high motivation for making improvements ensured any change was valuable, relevant and sustained because the whole team were fully involved in planning and preparing for it.

It was recognised that outstanding leadership and distributed responsibility inspired staff to have high aspirations for children to reach their full potential. The team had an aspirational vision for the service, the local community and for the school-aged childcare sector more generally. 

Children were supported by knowledgeable staff who were highly reflective and were able to discuss high level practice or demonstrate it. One family told us: "The staff are excellent and work really well together as a team. They know my child really well and tailor activities to suit their interests perfectly." Staff communicated effectively, supporting one another to work efficiently together to support children’s experience in their school age childcare service. In comments from families regarding the staff team, they told us: "I just can't speak highly enough of the manager and the team. They enrich our lives and our kids absolutely LOVE it there. We are very grateful and realise how lucky we are to have them!"

 

Kidzone Out of School Care (December 2024)

Children and families who accessed Kidzone Out of School Care service praised the team for being solution-focused and committed to delivering high-quality experiences. At the last Care Inspectorate inspection, the service and staff were acknowledged for their passion and commitment towards families. The strong leadership, facilities and engagement with families led to positive outcomes for children.

Leadership had promoted positive relationships across the service with an ethos of putting children at its heart. A well-considered improvement plan, and specific roles created for staff that were aligned to their own strengths, supported the positive experiences that children and families had within the service. Children shared how staff were kind, funny and caring. One parent stated: “Staff are always working alongside the children in play." Children were valued and respected as individuals.

Involving families and having an enthusiastic, committed team ensured children and families fostered a collaborative approach in the delivery of high-quality experiences. Almost all parents told us they felt involved in the delivery of the service. A parent shared with us: "I don't see anything that could improve, as staff appear dedicated and make things work." The effective communication methods used to seek feedback from children and families included using social media platforms, surveys and regular discussions. This aided honest and genuine feedback which the service used and reflected upon.

Spaces available took account of children's interests and supported them to lead their play. The area used by the service was flexible and changed regularly as a result of children's feedback or interests. An enclosed planting and growing space had been developed and children benefitted from real life experiences, such as roasting marshmallows over an open fire and accessing their local facilities. Effective communication, staff practice and learning across the team helped achieve a safe, child-centred approach. Staff practice took account of the health and welfare of children, whilst maintaining a stimulating fun environment.       

Inviting spaces created by staff and children facilitated children the opportunity to relax and reflect upon their day. There were opportunities for children to participate in facial treatments and mindfulness. Many children told us the cosy area was a favourite. One child shared: "If you have had a bad day you can go in the chill zone. It is nice." The use of pictures, family photos, rugs, dividers and various lighting helped create a welcoming and relaxed space within the large hall.

Transitions were seamless, such as at arrival and pick up time, through procedures that were well managed and considered. Staff used tools such as walkie talkies to support communication. Free flow between the indoors and outdoors enabled children to have choice, direct their own play and supported a range of experiences. Physical, social and dramatic play were some choices provided to enable fun, joy and high-quality learning experiences.

Children were consulted regularly about their interests and what they would like to do. This meant children were actively listened to and their thoughts and contributions were valued. A parent told us: "Fun and engaging opportunities are always on offer and a wide range of resources are available." Resources included a range of sports and active equipment, arts and crafts, real life items within role play spaces and varied technology devices.

 

Pretend optician helps reduce children’s worries about eye tests (May 2024)

Children from Glasgow Clyde College Nursery's Cardonald Campus were feeling nervous when they found out they were due their eye screening tests.

The staff within the 3-5 room thought of a way to support children with these feelings by setting up a pretend optician area within the playroom. Staff first modelled the role of the optician and then the patient as children observed. After this, the children were eager to get involved and become the optician, and soon had a waiting room full of patients waiting for their eye test. There were even glasses, a magnifying glass, an eye colour chart and a patient sign in card.

The 3-5 staff team said: "The children engaged extremely well in this experience, we observed fantastic interactions and the use of new vocabulary throughout. This experience supported the children in understanding the role of the optician and helped to reduce their worries around having their eyes tested”.

Kimberley Scobbie, head of centre, said: “Staff were responsive to the children's needs and recognised that some children required support to alleviate their worries around the screening test. Staff understood the importance of preparing children for new events by scaffolding learning through positive interactions and providing an enabling environment for the children to learn through play".

After the children explored the pretend opticians, Oscar said: “I'm not even scared anymore". Halle said: "Make sure you sign in or you won't have an appointment". Whilst covering her eye during her appointment at the pretend optician, Grace said: "I can see all of the letters with only one eye”.

When it came to the children receiving their pre-school vision test, they were excited and confident to participate and they even invited the optician to come and see their very own opticians within the playroom.

One parent said: "Thank you to the staff for setting this up, this helped to reduce Halle's worries about the optician".

 

SIMOA the elephant helps to keep children safe (March 2024)

Staff at Lundin Mill nursery, in Lundin Links, have been exploring ways of incorporating SIMOA the elephant into their learning about safety.

The staff and children first started out by taking SIMOA the elephant toy out and about with them in the local community.  They went to the local library for Bookbug sessions, Lundin Links beach, the forest, and on local walks around the surrounding area, including going to see the Scottie Dog sculpture.  The children use SIMOA as a mascot for safety and risk asses their environment daily.  The elephant even goes with everyone when they do fire drills.

The children decided to take their learning further by creating their own story, ‘SIMOA’s Big Adventure and How She Kept Herself Safe’.  This was a fun way of incorporating other areas of the curriculum into their learning.

The children thought about other adventures SIMOA could go on.  During a group discussion, the children and staff came up with the idea of SIMOA’s safety adventures.  Each child now has a turn in taking SIMOA into their own home environment for an adventure.  Some of the children said: “I felt happy and loved when I took SIMOA home.”; “I liked SIMOA at golf. She stood in the green square so we wouldn’t get hit by the golf ball. She showed us where to stand to be safe.”; “I got to put a seatbelt on SIMOA to keep her safe”.

The nursery staff said: “This has been a great way to promote safety in all aspects of their lives out with the nursery.  We have received positive feedback from parents, who are enjoying being part of their children’s learning”.

Some parents said: “Lewis and Luke loved having SIMOA home and were able to explain the importance of safety through the toy.  They articulated everyday safety procedures that happen in our lives at home and relayed them to SIMOA.  This highlighted to Lewis and Luke, how many ‘safety’ procedures happen in their daily routines and how important it is that everyone understands how to keep safe.  They were very excited to share their experiences with their peers through SIMOA's purple diary!”; “As parents we feel SIMOA is helpful to reference when talking about safety”.

Debbie Whittle, early years officer said: “We are going to incorporate SIMOA into our Primary 1 transition process.  By doing this, we have purchased another SIMOA toy for the P1 classroom.  This will encourage the children to develop independent thinking when it comes to safety, creating skills that will be useful throughout life.”

 

Cairellot Caterpillar keeps kids connected (October 2023)

During the pandemic, Cairellot nursery in Bishopton came up with an innovative way to help kids stay connected with staff and their friends at the nursery.

Everyone at the nursery felt it was important to stay connected with families and the children during their time away from their friends. They came up with the idea of filming bedtime stories and shared these on their family Facebook page. Every night, a member of staff read a bedtime story. This was a different staff member each time, ensuring all children could still feel engaged with the familiar faces on their screen. The children and families loved this interaction and many families waited for their story every night, with requests for favourite books and stories in the comments on their page. Children started to share their own stories on the page. Many families said the impact of these experiences were a huge support and their children felt they never really left nursery as the staff team and learning came into their homes each day. 

Rosie Elliot, one of the directors, told us that at Cairellot, all children come to nursery as curious little caterpillars and when they are five, they go off to school as beautiful butterflies. She said that when it was her turn to read a bedtime story “I decided to tell a story about Cairellot the Caterpillar to our children, not thinking at this stage of having a book published. My son encouraged me to develop the story and Lisa, one of the practitioners, was asked if she would like to develop the existing artwork. We sourced a publisher, Mabel and Stanley, who were instrumental in getting the book ready for publishing”.

Cairellot the Caterpillar is the tale of a curious caterpillar and his journey through nursery, meeting new friends and growing into a beautiful butterfly before flying off to school. It delivers messages about confidence, thoughtfulness and kindness. The nursery used it as one of the bedtime stories and also within the setting as children slowly returned. The nursery hosted an official book launch party in August, with every family receiving their own personal copy and Rosie reading the story to the children in a specially created story space with its very own balloon caterpillar.

Children commented: “My Mummies read me the book every night before I come to nursery in the morning”; “I have friends just like the caterpillar in the story”; and “When I get big I will be a beautiful butterfly too”.

Childminders

Judith from Ayr (October 2024)

During a recent inspection of registered childminder Judith Brown’s in Ayr we recognised a service that supported experiences and outcomes for children and their families that were of outstandingly high quality. 

There were many key elements of Judith’s day-to-day practice where the quality and attention to detail shone through. Judith’s consistently high quality skills, knowledge and experience was a key element identified in her success. She had spent considerable time reflecting how her service could meet the needs of the children, and their families, that she so lovingly cared for. One parent told us: "Judith takes a real interest in each and every child and takes time to get to know each child, their needs and personalities. It is a fantastic nurturing environment that provides a cosy home from home." The childminder herself told us she was "professionally driven to provide a nurturing, attachment focussed, home from home environment that worked for all her minded children."

Parents told us they felt "part of her family". She was keen to ensure all her children’s needs were considered when children enrolled in the service. She was highly aware of how children develop and conscious of her role in supporting this, thus she was careful to construct her business model around key elements of outcomes for all her minded children.

The childminder used a wide range of effective communication methods to efficiently share information about children with their parents. This supported valuable and meaningful involvement from children and parents in planning for children's individual care and helped overcome barriers to children's learning and development. One parent told us: "Judith provides plans and updates at regular intervals. At the time of setting these plans Judith asks for my input and if there is anything I want her to work on with the children."

The childminder's time management was highly effective in affording her time to plan high-quality experiences and reflect on consistently supporting positive outcomes to her children. As a result, children’s experiences were enriched by the childminder's commitment to promoting loving, caring family connections and engaging in the wider community.

It was obvious that the childminder skilfully considered her service through the eyes of a child. She captured children’s interests through careful planning, ensuring all children’s experiences were meaningful, nurturing and of an exceptional quality. 

"We often talk about the environment in terms of physical space, but the key part of the environment for children is the human, social environment of positive nurturing interactions." Education Scotland, Realising the Ambition, 2020, page 15.

 

Fiona from Peebles (October 2024)

Fiona’s innovative approach to building relationships and fostering community spirit created a nurturing environment where children thrived as valued members of the childminding family. Families appreciated Fiona's dedication, with one noting: “We feel she has welcomed us all into her family and home, creating an unbelievably nurturing atmosphere. Every child is treated as unique while also being part of a collective family.”

Inspired by Reggio Emilia, Hygge, and Froebel theories, Fiona's commitment to these approaches was evident in the strong sense of belonging within the setting and the wider community. Fiona believes that "it takes a village to raise a child", seeing herself as a “facilitator who brought together children and their community”. This dedication to relationships was woven throughout all of her practice.

Children were actively engaged in various community initiatives and shared their experiences enthusiastically. They told us: "We made a hedgehog house and frog cottage and hid them in Tesco's garden and we sometimes donate to the food bank.” Their visits to cafes taught essential life skills, while frequent nature explorations and initiatives such as the '1000 Hours Outside Challenge' deepened their connection to the environment. A parent noted: "What my child enjoyed most was the time spent in the community and nature."

A lending library created outside Fiona's home, stocked with books and food, served as a valuable resource for families and the wider community. This initiative encouraged language development and a love of reading, while also supporting families through a community pantry that allowed discreet access to essential food donations. Community members contributed items such as loose parts, books and herbs to enrich children’s play experiences in the setting. This resource sharing promoted generosity and strengthened local support networks.

Intergenerational relationships were nurtured by welcoming grandparents and extended family members into the setting, enriching children’s overall wellbeing and development through shared activities such as painting, storytelling and cooking together.

Through these enriching experiences, children were supported to become confident, compassionate members of their community.  As Fiona aptly stated: “I consider myself a true community childminder – serving my community in the community.” Fiona's innovative approach to childminding was not only shared but celebrated through various platforms, including Early Years Scotland, SCMA and Scottish Borders Council as an example of excellent practice. This recognition highlighted Fiona's exemplary practice and commitment to promoting positive outcomes for children and families.

 

Supporting staff health and wellbeing

Engagement sessions support staff health and wellbeing (December 2023)

Staff wellbeing is very important to the management of the Forbes nursery group in Edinburgh.  The group has four nurseries across the city, and they wanted to introduce a positive way of bringing all of the staff together.  This was so that staff could engage with one another away from work and help them to reconnect after the pandemic.

They are very fortunate that the nurseries are close to a large park and with the help of a local fitness trainer, staff were invited to take part in weekly outdoor fitness classes.  These classes have enabled staff to mix with one another, have fun and get fit together with a lot of laughter during their workouts.  These classes have been very successful with some staff attending regularly and others dropping in when they can.  On occasion, other family members and even a family pet has turned up and joined in with the fun.

The nursery management were keen to support staff to feel good about themselves and have made sure that the sessions were accessible to everyone.

There is no expectation on staff to have a certain level of fitness, and the atmosphere is very relaxed.  The exercises have been different each week and have included a silent disco, hula hooping, bootcamp and boxercise.  They also try to build in time at the end for relaxation.

These sessions have been a great success with staff engaging with each other and encouraging each other to come along.  Staff have said that it’s helped them to feel more motivated, pick-up old hobbies and sports and get moving a bit more.

Annabel Higgins, admin team said: "Having our weekly sessions with Kim is an incredible employee benefit at Forbes nursery.  Not only has it helped with my general energy and fitness levels it’s also a lovely hour to catch up with staff from across the nursery group."

Abby Whigham, assistant manager said: "Not only have Kim’s classes helped with physical fitness, but it also has a positive impact on our general mental health. It’s great coming together each week and seeing team members who work at our other nurseries too. Kim’s positivity and energy is very motivating and inspirational, which is the perfect lift after a busy day at work."

Recently, they have also returned to visiting the local care home where the residents and children have exercised together.  These activities have included parachute games and sensory balls with children’s songs and music from the 50s, 60s and 70s for the residents to enjoy.

Intergenerational

Bridging the generational gap (July 2024)

Peep and Bon Accord Care have worked together to create an age inclusive group where toddlers and older adults can make social connections to enhance their wellbeing and self-confidence. 

Peep Aberdeen, a free service provided by Aberdeen City Council, supports parents, carers, babies, and young children to learn together by valuing and building on what families already do. The group recognised the opportunity of coming together with older adults in the community and the benefits intergenerational activities could have for all participants.  

The group has been running each Friday since January 2023 and participants include eight families and around 10-15 older adults. While continuing to use topics from the Peep Learning Together programme, practitioners have adapted these sessions to make them more inclusive for people who experience care. Since the group started, children, their parent/carers and older adults have created a special bond, shown through the children’s excitement coming to the centre each week and the laughs they share together. These relationships were not made overnight, but through consistency in the sessions which allowed everyone to get to know one another over time. Each session follows the same structure of singing songs together and storytelling, followed by an activity, then often finished off with some more songs and games with the parachute. 

Rachel MacIver, family resource worker at Aberdeen City Council said: “It is wonderful to see the bonds created between the older adults and children. One person told us he has a photo of himself holding two little ones up in his home, while others rarely say ‘good morning’ before asking ‘are the children coming in today?’ We have had Easter, summer, Halloween and Christmas celebrations together, with the Bon Accord team pulling out all the stops to make it fun for everyone involved.” 

One parent said: “'We adore our intergenerational Peep group! It's by far our favourite of the week. My daughter is very sociable but she has come on leaps and bounds since attending Peep. She gets to play and chat with her pals and so do us mums, it's just great. I enjoy my cup of tea with the residents after the class and it feels like I’m having a catch up with friends. We would come every day if we could.”  

Another parent added: “So nice to see children interacting with the older generation.”  

One attendee said: “I have had a great day, I am so happy to see the children.”  

Another added: “Coming together singing familiar songs is my favourite bit.” 

The Promise in practice

The Promise in practice at East Park community residences (September 2024)

Blog by Liam Fenney and Karen Ferguson, managers of East Park community residences

As a residential school, supporting young people with a diagnosis of autism and co-occurring conditions, our commitment to The Promise has to be informed by the diagnostic consistency presented in our children as well as their individual traits, life experiences and gifts.

How they wish to experience love whilst being cared for will depend on their personal preferences, exposure to trauma or adverse childhood experiences and will reflect how secure their attachments in early childhood have been.

Every young person is uniquely gifted and we value their diversity in presentation over their placement on the spectrum, however it is important to understand where in the spectrum a young person’s neurodivergence presents and how they individually would like to express and receive love whilst living in residential childcare. Their perception, communication and interactions will be different to a neurotypicals child’s understanding of love.

It is essential that all of our staff, but particularly those directly involved in their care are skilled, secure, resilient and brave enough to build trusting and loving relationships with our young people in order that they can develop aspirations that match their potential in the most loving environment possible. Staff participate in training in Understanding Autism, Love and Nurture in the context of Children’s Rights, Sensory Integration, Transforming Psychological Trauma and Intensive Interaction in order that they can collaborate with our young people to achieve the best quality of life outcomes.

Knowing a young person’s functional language capability and if they do or do not have an intellectual development disorder informs our provision of resources and aids the design of our suite of interventions for them.

We have introduced an autism profile which describes their diagnosis according to the ICD11 and current peer reviewed theoretic thinking. It breaks down their strengths and areas of development in terms of Theory of Mind, Executive Functioning, Central Coherence and Double Empathy. The profile is underpinned by the SPELL Framework which enables staff to identify what strategies will develop their true potential in their corresponding Positive Behaviour Support Plan and Trauma Profile to ensure that the care delivered is the least restrictive, of benefit to them and is cognisant of their capacity, lived experience and ambition. 

We replaced our traditional risk assessments with Risk Enablement plans that focus on developing the skills required to minimise or eliminate the control measures imposed on young people while enjoying risky activities. This includes a reducing restrictive practice plan where self-regulation and autonomy is promoted over intervention.

We designed Trauma Profiles to differentiate between diagnostic behaviours and those directly related to adverse childhood experiences. This empowers staff to prioritise compassionate, nurturing interventions that deviate from traditional autism support. It prompts emotionally intelligent responses in relation to choice, empowerment, trust, safety and collaboration to enable loving, empathic exchanges where love and nurture are required before neurodivergent support strategies.  

 

Brewing up promising futures (May 2024)

During a recent inspection of Rossie Secure Accommodation Services, we identified areas of sector-leading practice. The service, that offers a total of 18 bedrooms in a secure residential setting with access to education, strived to meet the key areas identified in The Promise. We identified they were meeting this aspect identified in The Promise which states “Care experienced children and young people will receive all they need to thrive at school. There will be no barriers to their engagement with education, and schools will know and cherish their care experienced pupils.” The service has described an innovative aspect of the work they are doing to support children and young people.

Blog by Lesley Mollison, service development manager at Rossie secure accommodation: Brewing up promising futures

At Rossie, every child and young person has the opportunity to thrive. We recognise that sometimes traditional teaching methods do not work for everyone,  so we have created a range of  innovative, engaging learning experiences. One such initiative is our Barista Cafe - 'Coffee Le Rossie'.  Coffee Le Rossie is much more than just a coffee shop, it's a springboard for success.

Promise in every cup

Our young-person-run cafe goes beyond being Promise-informed. Young people gain valuable vocational training in hospitality, from mastering barista skills and customer service to financial literacy. These transferable skills enhance their employability, giving them the confidence and abilities to navigate the world of work.

But the benefits go so much deeper. Working in the cafe develops valuable life skills. Young people work as part of a team,  improve their communication skills as well as getting experience of positively interacting with  customers. All of these skills and experiences are essential for personal growth and future success. Coffee Le Rossie has blossomed into a vibrant community hub, and our young people have created a welcoming space for everyone to connect,  underpinned by a powerful sense of belonging and inclusion.

Learning beyond the counter

From preparing food and “crafting designer beverages” to operating equipment, young people gain priceless hands-on experience. This builds a sense of accomplishment and equips them with practical skills they can take with them into their new lives.  Interacting  and mingling with customers hones their communication and interpersonal skills, preparing our young people for future working environments.

Running the cafe requires teamwork and collaboration, and our young people work together towards a common goal, fostering responsibility and a strong team spirit. They have shown they are adaptable and flexible and the beverages have different flavours to reflect the different seasons - crucial skills for navigating changing customer needs.

Coffee Le Rossie transcends its walls by sourcing ingredients from our garden and local businesses. This commitment to sustainability strengthens the local economy and partnerships.

The future's brewing

Our Barista Cafe is a shining example of how innovative initiatives empower young people. By equipping them with important and transferrable skills and fostering a sense of purpose and inclusion, Coffee Le Rossie is 'brewing up promising futures' for everyone involved

An insight into the cafe from a young person

"The Barista Cafe is the coolest place! I have learnt how to make different drinks like fancy coffees and smoothies. It's like being a scientist in the kitchen! Plus, I got to learn how to serve people properly who come in, just like a superhero of friendliness!

Working at the cafe makes me feel like part of a big team at Rossie and school. I meet pretty much everyone who works in Rossie. It has even helped me get qualifications and learn new things in other classes like business studies and craft and design where I even built a clock for the cafe, which was really something.

Now I feel confident because I know how to make drinks and serve people the right way. These are skills I can use wherever I go. The money I earn is great, but all the other stuff is even better!"

 

The Promise in practice at Crawford Street children's house (March 2024)

Crawford Street children’s house was inspected by us in September 2024.  The commitment to care for young people while they were living there and after they left was heartening to witness.  Family is one of the five overarching principles of The Promise.  We found that there was a sector leading commitment to this foundation.  Here is what Wendy Shillinglaw, house manager of Crawford Street told us.

Blog by Wendy Shillinglaw, house manager at Crawford Street children’s house

By the time you come to live in Crawford Street, it is likely that you have been on a very difficult journey and the thought of living with another seven young people and being looked after by over twenty adults must fill you with dread.

We just hope to help you by being kind, compassionate and caring; being there for however long you need us to be.  You tell us it is the consistency that counts; the carers that never give up on you, believe in you and love you to bits.  Looking after you when you are ill, taking care of your animals when you are unable to, thinking about you when you are not there, taking you to places you have never seen and supporting you to try new things that you might never have experienced.  This is what builds the bonds and helps us to gain some of your trust – it can take a long time, but we have the patience to wait, and wait, and wait. 

You tell us that it is the people that count.  The people that you can rely on, the people that will be there when you need them and the people that will be true and faithful to you, even when they are telling you things you might not want to hear in that moment, but that you know you need to hear.  It is the joy that carers share when you phone us to tell us you have had your first child, passed your driving test; to celebrate your successes. 

It is the pain that they share when you tell them about your losses, your worries, and your fears.  You say you know that we are only a phone call away, you know we will jump on the bus or train to pick you up when you are a little bit lost, and you know you can hold onto us until you are ready to let go.  We so want to hear everything you have to say.  We really want to make sure that we are doing everything we can to get it right for you. Everyone needs a place to come back to that feels warm.  When you come home to Crawford Street you tell us it is the people here who provide you with that warmth.

 

The Promise in practice at Strathmore centre in Forfar (December 2023)

Strathmore centre, a short break service in Forfar, was graded excellent during an inspection earlier this year.

So what made the service stand out? The fact that the staff team knew every detail of every young person using the service was admirable. Leaders and staff ensured that they were equipped for, and able to deliver the preferences for young people visiting the service for short breaks. This level of comfort and consistency was especially important at helping young people relax and to feel at home. This meant that restrictive practices were reduced massively as the service confidently and consistently varied practice to meet the needs of the young people.  Every family member we spoke to said that the service felt like an extension of family in this way.

One parent told us: "It was difficult at times to trust anyone other than ourselves to care for our child, with the complex needs that they have, especially when they do not have a voice of their own. So, to be able to accept it from the team at Strathmore and accept the much-needed respite is testament to what they do."

This practice highlighted the service's commitment to the Promise by ensuring that quieter voices were heard and that families get support that is right for them and their families.

Claire Dickson, manager (residential resources) at Angus Council, said: "As a team we understand how precious the children and young people we care for are, and this is central to how we look after them. Therefore, knowing our children and adapting our service to meet their needs comes as second nature to us. This being recognised as part of our most recent inspection has reinforced our belief in what we do."