Janet Courtney Hall of Residence praised by inspectorate

The Janet Courtney Hall of Residence in Lerwick is “a home from home” for the teenage pupils who stay there, according to a very positive report from the Care Inspectorate.

The care service report awards the hostel “very good” grades in quality of care and support and quality of environment.

Shetland Islands Council director of children’s services Helen Budge was delighted with the report.

Mrs Budge said: “It gives parents and prospective residents a tremendous degree of confidence in the hall of residence and its staff, who have worked so hard and so effectively to ensure that the young people there are looked after well.

“It gives staff at Janet Courtney a tremendous boost and I am so pleased that Shetland has a hall of residence for pupils from the islands and remote areas that we can all be confident in and proud of.”

Mark Causer, the inspector responsible, said the hall of residence provided “a supportive, caring environment” and had high levels of participation where residents felt they could contribute and were listened to. The public and private accommodation were well maintained, with residents able to be “comfortable and relaxed”.

There had been considerable improvements since the last inspection, Mr Causer said, with upgrading of accommodation and better leisure facilities such as wi-fi and a flat screen television. All the young people had been actively involved, offering suggestions, and this was a programme of improvement which would continue.

All the residents of the hall consulted were “extremely positive” about the care they received. “All felt safe and protected.”

Mr Causer said: “The inspector would like to take this opportunity to thank the young people for their welcome and their open and honest approach to the inspection. It was evident that the hostel was a home from home where they felt cared for and valued.”

Parents were also asked to fill in questionnaires and “again, there were very high levels of satisfaction with the service”, Mr Causer added.