A HOUSING support project in Musselburgh for homeless young adults with a wide range of needs has received a glowing report from inspectors.

Blue Triangle (Glasgow) Housing Association Ltd, which is based at Millhill, received a ‘very good’ rating for how well it supported people’s wellbeing, and ‘excellent’ for its staff team.

The service said it accommodated 14 young people from all over East Lothian and worked with other organisations to “signpost and support some of the most vulnerable” in the county.

The report, which followed an unannounced inspection by the Care Inspectorate in August, said Blue Triangle was registered to provide a housing support service to young people living in their own tenancies.

A maximum of nine young people can stay in the main project building, and five at another property in Musselburgh.

The inspectors said they found “significant strengths” in aspects of the care provided and how these supported “positive outcomes” for people.

They explained: “Young people supported by the service are recognised as experts in their own experiences and are fully involved in decision-making about their support from their first contact with the service. This support is dynamic and is regularly reviewed and adjusted as people grow and develop and as they get to know workers within the service better.

“Young people’s individual strengths and needs are well understood and the nature and level of support varies depending on capacity, preference and the extent to which they feel comfortable engaging with the service. This ensures that support is person centred and helps to achieve the best possible outcomes for each person.

“Young people using the service felt and were kept safe, and felt secure and valued. This was achieved by supporting people to be mindful of the needs of other tenants and having fair and clear health and safety and tenancy agreements in place. Alongside a nurturing approach, this created a sense of warmth and calm within the service that both young people and visiting professionals commented on.”

They said: “Young people’s strengths and skills are acknowledged and celebrated, and the staff team work creatively to support young people to explore their interests and pursue their ambitions.”

The inspectors added: “People using the service benefited from a stable and consistent staff team who worked flexibly together to ensure that they were able to meet the changing needs and circumstances of people using the service.”

Clare Bauld, service manager at Blue Triangle’s Musselburgh service, said: “Millhill service in Musselburgh has worked in partnership with East Lothian Council for over 20 years to support young people in our community who are experiencing homelessness and trauma-associated issues. Staff strive to give every young person who comes through our door the opportunity to thrive, and we also feel that this is just as important for the staff team.

“Having a well-informed staff team who go above and beyond for everyone who is accommodated by us is the springboard for providing a safe, secure and nurturing environment. It is extremely rewarding to be able to help a young person achieve their potential and reach a positive destination.

“As the service manager, I feel extremely proud and grateful to my staff team who demonstrate kindness, empathy and patience every day when supporting a young person through what can be a very stressful and traumatic time in their life.”