Kerelaw school to close after critical inspection

A residential school in Scotland will close, Glasgow Council announced this week, following allegations of abuse of children with emotional and behavioural difficulties, writes Maria Ahmed.

Twenty-three staff are currently suspended or redeployed at Kerelaw school in Ayrshire while Glasgow Council and Strathclyde Police investigate claims of inappropriate use of physical restraint.

The school provides care and secondary education in its open school and four residential units for up to 50 young people.

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The council announced the closure after an investigation by the Care Commission and education inspectorate found many staff had not received any training in using safe restraint.

The investigation found workers had only a “rudimentary” knowledge of child protection issues, resulting in “major weaknesses” in practices to ensure children felt safe and secure. Not all young people had an identified rights or advocacy worker, and were often unable to make complaints in confidence.

It also highlighted low staff morale, with many workers feeling “insecure” about the management’s failure to clarify strategies to deal with challenging behaviour.

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The investigation began in August 2004 following a range of complaints and allegations made by residents and employees. In addition to closing the open school, the council is to withdraw from managing the secure unit.

Council leader Charlie Gordon said the authority would now look for alternative placements for the 16 young people currently attending the open school as “a matter of urgency”.