INSPECTORS have published a damning report on adoption and fostering services in West Dunbartonshire – and given council staff in charge weeks to shape up.

The Care Inspectorate turned up at West Dunbartonshire Council’s adoption service and fostering service last November.

In reports published last week, they found “significant concerns” with both services, labelling them “weak” or “adequate”.

Social work bosses said they “recognise” the areas needing improvement.

But politicians have voiced concern for young people and said changes should be addressed “quickly”.

Both adoption and fostering services were “weak” at supporting people’s wellbeing, and in leadership, said inspectors.

They want an adoption service handbook created, more training for parents, and better “memory boxes” created when young people move to a new family.

By February 1, the adoption service must improve the the quality of planning to ensure stability in children’s lives.

By April 30, management improvements have to be made to both services, and more training for foster carers on child protection.

Adoptive families were supportive, with one parent telling inspectors: “I felt like the staff knew my child, knew me and just knew it would work. It feels like it was just meant to be.”

Foster carers and young people raised concerns about contact with siblings and staffing levels, though children said they liked where they were living and felt safe.

Inspectors said care and support were adequately planned, but made further recommendations which must be met by the end of April.

Beth Culshaw, chief officer of West Dunbartonshire HSCP, said: “We welcome the report as part of our continued improvement.

“The report highlights strengths including the robust assessment and support of adopters, work that has taken place within the service and commends the approach of adopters and carers in meeting the needs of children in West Dunbartonshire.

“We are taking forward the requirements made without delay to further build on the good practice identified within the report.”

Councillor John Mooney, who is a member of the HSCP’s board, said: “I note that the inspections were at short notice. This might provide a truer reflection of the services.

“I am concerned that support of peoples’ wellbeing and leadership are both weak.

“I hope and expect that the areas for improvement are addressed robustly and timeously.

“I note with concern that the timeframes for improvement set in 2018 were not met.

“The pandemic has obviously had an effect on the services. However, the previous recommendations pre-dated the pandemic by two years.”

And Jackie Baillie MSP said it was concerned to learn that any service supporting young people was regarded as “weak”.

She said: “Delays in providing permanent residence could well be harmful to the young people affected both now and in the long term.

“The Care Inspectorate has given the service very specific recommendations to work on, some which require immediate action and the council must ensure that these are addressed quickly.”