Ardencraig Care Home
Recorded Key Question grade range: 2–3 — Weak View on Care Inspectorate
Key Question scores
Enforcement
Requirements & recommendations
1. By 31 July 2026, the provider must ensure that people receive care that is safe, compassionate, and appropriate, and which meets their health, safety, wellbeing needs and personal preferences. To do this, the provider must, at a minimum ensure: a) Accurate and up-to-date health related risk assessments inform a comprehensive personal plan. This must clearly direct staff on how people's needs will be met, including but not limited to, how their skin integrity and wound care needs will be managed, and any preventative measures required to minimise the risk of further skin deterioration. b) Care records are completed fully and accurately. c) Effective systems are established to support the implementation of personal plans and ensure that they are consistently followed in practice. d) Appropriate and timely referrals to external professionals are made and advice and recommended interventions are clearly communicated and followed. To do this, the provider must, at a minimum ensure: a) medication management systems and practice are in line with best practice guidance b) all prescribed medications are available, in date and administered as prescribed, with administration accurately recorded c) covert medication administration is reviewed regularly and in line with best practice d) there is appropriate training and support to staff and robust oversight of all medication processes. This requirement is set to ensure compliance with Regulation 4(1)(a) of The Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (Requirements for Care Services) Regulations 2011(SSI 2011 / 210). Also to ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS), which state: 'I have confidence in people1. By 31 July 2026, the provider must ensure people are safe, risk is reduced and people receive quality care and support that meets their needs. To do this, the provider must, at a minimum, ensure: a) audits of key areas of care are prioritised according to risk b) audit tools in use are revised to fully identify improvements needed and reduce risk c) action plans are implemented to address issues identified in the audit process d) effective management oversight of the quality assurance processes. This is to comply with Regulation 3 and 4(1)(a) of the Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (Requirements for Care Services) Regulations 2011. This is to ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS), which state that: 'I benefit from a culture of continuous improvement, with the organisation having robust and transparent quality assurance systems' (HSCS 4.19).
1. To ensure that people with stress and distress are well supported, the manager should ensure that clear and relevant records are kept in relation to:
a) strategies or interventions used prior to ‘as required’ medication being administered b) reasons for giving 'as required' medication c) outcomes and effectiveness following medication administration.
This is to ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS), which state that:
'Any treatment or intervention that I experience is safe and effective' (HSCS 1.24).
2. To ensure that people achieve physical and mental wellbeing through meaningful interaction and stimulation, the manager should:
a) consult with people about how they wish to spend their day b) develop individual plans and goals for each person and how staff can support people to achieve these c) provide staff with guidance about how to engage, with people, effectively.
This is to ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS), which state that:
‘I get the most out of life because the people and organisation who support and care for me have an enabling attitude and believe in my potential’ (HSCS 1.6); and ‘I can choose to have an active life and participate in a range of recreational, social, creative, physical and learning activities every day, both indoors and outdoors’ (HSCS 1.25).
1. The service development plan should be informed by input from the people who use the service, families/representatives, staff and stakeholders in line with the Care Inspectorate’s 'Quality Framework for Care Homes for Adults and Older People: For use in Self-Evaluation, Scrutiny, and Improvement support' (published April 2022). This is to ensure care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS), which state that: 'I am actively encouraged to be involved in improving the service I use, in a spirit of genuine partnership' (HSCS 4.7).
1. The provider should evaluate the service learning and training programme to ensure there are opportunities for staff to develop skills and knowledge according to best practice. This is to ensure the service can meet the current and future needs of all people living within the home. This is to ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS), which states that:
'I have confidence in people because they are trained, competent and skilled, are able to reflect on their practice and follow their professional and organisational codes' (HSCS 3.14).
1. To ensure that people living in the home are helped to realise what is meant by a high-quality environment, in relation to good practice and smaller group living, the provider and manager should continue to implement the improvement plan.
This is to ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS), which state that:
'If I live in a care home the premises are designed and organised so that I can experience small group living, including access to a kitchen, where possible' (HSCS 5.7);
and 'The premises have been adapted, equipped and furnished to meet my needs and wishes' (HSCS 5.16).
1. To ensure that personal plans support good outcomes for people, the provider and manager should ensure that:
a) Each person has a plan that is reflective of them as an individual. b) Evaluations are regularly and appropriately recorded. c) Reviews are used to reflect on people's outcomes and that action points are recorded to support follow up. Reviews should take place at least every six months or in response to need. d) All staff record their involvement with people in a person-centred manner, to capture people's experiences and the outcomes achieved.
This is to ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS), which state that:
'My personal plan (sometimes referred to as a care plan) is right for me because it sets out how my needs will be met, as well as my wishes and choices' (HSCS 1.15); and 'I am fully involved in developing and reviewing my p
1. A service development plan should be created with input from the people who use the service, families/representatives, staff and stakeholders in line with the Care Inspectorate’s "Quality Framework for Care Homes for Adults and Older People: For use in Self-Evaluation, Scrutiny, and Improvement support" (published April 2022). This is to ensure care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS) which state that: "I benefit from a culture of continuous improvement, with the organisation having robust and transparent quality assurance processes" (HSCS 4.19).
1. By 8 December 2025, the provider must implement quality assurance systems to ensure positive outcomes for people and support continuous improvement. To do this the provider must:: a) implement a management oversight process which takes account of all key areas of service delivery. These should include, but are not limited to, personal planning and the environment b) implement regular monitoring and auditing of the setting, to demonstrate that appropriate maintenance and IPC standards are being achieved c) produce an effective service improvement plan that is informed by audit findings and service user's feedback and experiences and which evidences improved outcomes for people. This is to comply with Regulation 4(1)(a) (Welfare of users) of The Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (Requirements for Care Services) Regulations 2011 (SSI 2011/210). This is to ensure that care and support is consistent with the national Health and So
1. To ensure that people with stress and distress are well supported, the manager should ensure that clear and relevant records are kept in relation to: a) strategies or interventions used prior to ‘as required’ medication being administered b) reasons for giving 'as required' medication c) outcomes and effectiveness following medication administration. This is to ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS) which state that:
'Any treatment or intervention that I experience is safe and effective' (HSCS1.24).
2. In order to ensure that people living in the home are helped to realise what is meant by a high-quality environment, in relation to good practice and smaller group living, the provider and manager should continue to implement and develop the improvement plan. This is to ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS) which state that: 'If I live in a care home the premises are designed and organised so that I can experience small group living, including access to a kitchen, where possible' (HSCS 5.7); and 'The premises have been adapted, equipped and furnished to meet my needs and wishes' (HSCS 5.16).
3. To ensure that people achieve physical and mental wellbeing through meaningful interaction and stimulation, the manager should: a) consult with people about how they wish to spend their day b) develop individual plans and goals for each person and how staff can support people to achieve these c) provide staff with guidance about how to engage, with people, effectively. This is to ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS), which state that: ‘I get the most out of life because the people and organisation who support and care for me have an enabling attitude and believe in my potential’ (HSCS 1.6); and ‘I can choose to have an active life and participate in a range of recreational, social, creative, physical and learning activities every day, both indoors and outdoors’ (HSCS 1.25).
1. The provider should evaluate the service learning and training programme to ensure there are opportunities for staff to develop skills and knowledge according to best practice. This is to ensure the service can meet the current and future needs of all people living within the home. This is to ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS) which states that: 'I have confidence in people because they are trained, competent and skilled, are able to reflect on their practice and follow their professional and organisational codes' (HSCS 3.14).
1. To ensure that personal plans support good outcomes for people, the provider and manager should ensure that: a) each person has a plan that is reflective of them as an individual b) evaluations are regularly and appropriately recorded c) reviews are used to reflect on people's outcomes and that action points are recorded to support follow up. Reviews should take place at least every six months or in response to need d) all staff record their involvement with people in a person-centred manner, to capture people's experiences and the outcomes achieved. This is to ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS) which state that: 'My personal plan (sometimes referred to as a care plan) is right for me because it sets out how my needs will be met, as well as my wishes and choices' (HSCS 1.15); and 'I am fully involved in developing and reviewi
Conditions of registration
To provide a care service to a maximum of 16 older people in the Dee unit and 74 adults with physical disabilities and mental health issues in the Tweed and Hampson units.