We are delighted to share that Cochrane House 1, 2 and 3 have been awarded ‘5 – Very Good’ in a recent Care Inspectorate report.
Following the unannounced inspection of each house on 10 June 2026, inspectors recognised major strengths in how the service supports children and young people’s rights, wellbeing and outcomes. The report reflects the care, skill and dedication shown by staff across the service. This was demonstrated through the positive relationships between young people and the staff teams there to support them. Inspectors praised staff’s understanding of the individual needs of each young person, which was reflected in detailed support plans that were regularly reviewed to ensure they continued to meet young people’s needs at all times.
Championing Rights and Voices
There was excellent feedback around the promotion of children’s rights, with the Care Inspectorate report highlighting that “young people were well informed about their rights and felt confident that staff represented their views.” Staff also created a safe and supportive environment within each of the houses, where young people felt able to raise any concerns. This was further strengthened through access to independent advocacy provided by Who Cares? Scotland. This was particularly evident when supporting young people through transitions, with inspectors highlighting that “…where decisions were made at short notice, these were informed by the needs and rights of both the young person moving into the service and those already living there.”
Importance of Everyday Moments
The warmth in everyday experiences was also reflected in the report. Young people’s views and wishes were actively sought, helping them take part in enjoyable activities, community clubs, small business opportunities and experiences such as wild swimming. This was made possible through the support and encouragement of staff teams, who ensured young people enjoyed a wide range of experiences and opportunities within their communities.
In addition, Education was actively promoted, with positive outcomes including young people attending school regularly for the first time. Maintaining meaningful family connections was another strength, with some young people sharing that they were seeing family regularly for the first time in years.
Specialist Care and Leadership
The report also recognised the specialist care and strong leadership in place at Cochrane House. Staff and leaders demonstrated a strong understanding of child protection, supported by training, trauma-informed practice, reflective discussions and access to Kibble’s Specialist Intervention Service. Inspectors also noted the positive impact of strengthened management structures, which have improved consistency, staff confidence and teamworking. This recognition was echoed by Executive Director of Secure and Intensive Services, Damien McGrogan, who shared with staff:
“I wanted to share my congratulations following the recent inspection and the very positive feedback received. It was fantastic to see the recognition for the genuine warmth, care and compassion across the houses. The inspectors clearly felt the strong relationships you have built with the young people, and the sense of trust, consistency and care that underpins everything you do. This is a real reflection of the commitment, teamwork and professionalism across all teams, and you should be incredibly proud of what has been achieved. Please keep up the great work and continue building on this success.”
This incredibly positive inspection result is a real credit to everyone working in and around Cochrane House. Congratulations to the whole team for the care, compassion and commitment they show every day in helping young people feel safe, listened to and supported to build brighter futures.