Health & Social Care (HSCM) has welcomed a very positive inspection report on Moray Supported Lodgings Project, recognising the service’s high-quality support, strong relationships, and positive outcomes for young people and their caregiver families.
The project recruits and supports caregiver families who provide a spare room and nurturing home environment for young people aged 16-21 leaving care or at risk of homelessness. The service helps them develop independence, life skills, and connections with education, employment, volunteering, and community activities.
The service achieved grades of ‘Very Good’ (5 out of 6) across all four key areas assessed. These considered how well the service supports people’s wellbeing, the leadership, staff team, and care and support planning.
Inspectors, visited between 23 February and 3 March 2026, found significant strengths in the care and support provided. They praised the service for its positive, nurturing relationships between young people and caregiver families, many of which continue after the young person has moved on.
Young people felt respected and listened to and were actively involved in decisions about their care and future. Friendships and family relationships were well supported by caregiver families which ensured that important relationships were maintained.
Caregiver families were extremely positive about the proactive support they received from staff. They were supported to undertake learning in areas such as trauma, attachment, and cultural understanding, particularly in supporting New Scots. This helps them to provide safe and compassionate support to young people as they build independence and life skills.
Young people living within caregiver families were kept safe, with families well supported to understand their safeguarding responsibilities.
Inspectors also recognised the service’s strong culture of ambition and encouragement. Staff worked closely with young people to help them develop essential life skills, such as cooking, shopping, and travel, and celebrated their achievements in education, work, volunteering, and community activities.
Leadership and improvement activity were also commended, with managers and staff delivering a programme of changes since the previous inspection which strengthened policies, procedures, quality assurance, and transitions into the service. Young people and caregiver families were actively involved in shaping these developments, ensuring the service met the needs of everyone involved.
All young people and adults had clear care plans outlining their needs, which were regularly reviewed to reflect their voices and priorities. Staff were empowered to lead on service development, building positive relationships with caregiver families and helping achieve consistently good outcomes.
All requirements and improvement areas identified at the previous inspection had been addressed, including enhanced caregiver assessments, updated policies and procedures, a new caregiver handbook, improved staff training records, and increased opportunities for young people and carers to share their views.
Jim Lyon, Interim Chief Social Work Officer and HSCM Head of Service, said: “We welcome the findings of this inspection and are proud of the dedication of our staff and the incredible commitment of our caregiver families.
“The report reflects the values at the heart of this service – respect, safety, strong relationships, and shared ambition to help young people thrive. We will continue working with young people, caregivers and partners to build on these positive findings and ensure the service continues to improve”
The full inspection report is published on the Care Inspectorate website at: https://www.careinspectorate.com/index.php/inspection-reports.
