Source · Care Inspectorate

Northern Lights

Provider Barnardo's known as Barnardo's Scotland Type Care Home Service Location Inverness Last graded 25 Nov 2025

Recorded Key Question grade range: 2 — Weak  View on Care Inspectorate

Key Question scores

Six-point scale
Support and wellbeing
2
Care and support planning
2
Setting
2
Staff team
2
Leadership
2
Care, play and learning

Requirements & recommendations

1 requirement · 3 recommendations

Verbatim text from the Care Inspectorate datastore. Requirements cite a specific regulation and deadline; recommendations are good-practice guidance against the Health and Social Care Standards.

Visit: 9 October 2025
Requirement 1

1. By 31 December 2025, the provider must ensure that young people are cared for by a knowledgeable, well-trained and supported workforce, with robust quality assurance systems in place which have managerial oversight. To do this the provider must, as a minimum: Deliver and accurately record staff training to demonstrate a well-trained and skilled workforce. Deliver and document the formal supervision of all staff. Develop accurate aims and objectives which accurately reflect the service being provided. Develop a service development plan. Undertake and implement a staffing needs assessment which determines how the needs of young people will be met. Implement robust quality assurance processes which have managerial overview. This is in order to comply with Regulation 4(1)(a) (welfare of users); Regulation 4(1)(a2. The provider must ensure that at all times they fully comply with the conditions of their registration and ensure the services they offer are registered with the Care Inspectorate. This is in order to comply with Regulation 4(1)(a) (welfare of users); Regulation 4(1)(a) of The Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (Requirements for Care Services) Regulations 2011 (SSI 2011/ 210).

· Deadline: 31 December 2025
Recommendation 1

1. In order to ensure that young people live in a pleasant and safe environment, immediate attention should be given to areas for improvement noted in health and safety audits (at Sylvan) and to the standard of the living environment (specifically the kitchen at Northern Lights). This is to ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS) which state that: ‘My environment is secure and safe’ (HSCS 5.17); and 'I am able to access a good range of good quality equipment and furnishings to meet my needs wishes and choices' (HSCS 5.21).

Recommendation 2

2. To support a consistent approach to the financial support of young people receiving continuing care, the organisation should develop clear guidance which ensures young people know their rights. This is to ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS) which state that: ‘I experience high quality care and support based on relevant evidence, guidance and best practice’ (HSCS 4.11).

Recommendation 3

3. To ensure that ongoing relationships are valued, and to ensure the safety of all, there must be robust safeguarding procedures, of which people are aware and adhere to. This is to ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS) which state that: 'I experience high quality care and support based on relevant evidence, guidance and best practice’ (HSCS 4.11).

Registry facts

Service no: CS2009195687
Provider no: SP2003003405
Ownership: Voluntary or Not for Profit
Registered places: 6
Registered: 18 February 2011
Council area: Highland
Health board: Highland
Integration authority: Highland
Risk band: HIGH