The Scottish Government

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4 Findings

4.1 From the national survey, it was clear that no comprehensive knowledge base or guidance exists for the internal or external design of residential care homes for children. Both design and social work professionals rely on the client to articulate the design requirements of the project. To work effectively, this requires a design-literate client who understands design issues and requirements and can adequately prepare the design brief and provide information that will inform the design process and ensure a quality outcome of the project.

While most design and half of social work professionals considered reference sources to be adequate, this was mainly due to having a team with previous experience and engaging in consultation to determine requirements. The need, however, for comprehensive guidance and information on best practice was seen as desirable. An online guide was the first choice for the format of guidance by both designers and social work professionals. Meaningful consultation is recognised as an effective means of gathering relevant information to inform a design brief. A high level of consultation with residential staff was reported by both design and social work professionals. Consultation with children and young people was, in the main, undertaken by social work professionals. There is a need for design professionals to be more directly involved in the consultation process with children and young people. Consultation with the community was also varied.

Respondents considered that the main challenges in the design of residential care homes for children were those related to safety, including: fire regulations, escape routes and CCTV. The issue most frequently mentioned by social work staff was the difficulty in balancing the need for a homely environment with ensuring adequate provision for a residential care home and a workplace. Where a house is located is an important consideration in the success of a home.

4.2 South Lanarkshire Council identified the need to improve the quality of residential accommodation provided for looked after children and young people. Central to this was the recognition that existing residential homes did not provide a positive environment for children and young people: they were large; more than twenty years old; problematic to maintain; and with largely institutional interiors. Senior social work management recognised the need for a professional interior design approach and Graven Images were commissioned to provide this. Key elements that shaped the creative approach by Graven Images were the high level of aspiration of South Lanarkshire Council for providing quality interiors, encouraging ownership of space by looked after young people, and developing a palette of materials and textures that introduced character and created a particular ambience in interior spaces. The specification of quality products to indicate that the residents are cared about was central to Graven Images' creative approach. Graven Images' input in three of the houses featured in this study varied as the homes were at different stages of development. The role of the interior designers has expanded to become more strategic and an integral part of design projects. They work closely with the client and in partnership with the architects at the outset of a project.

4.3 This exploratory study set out to explore the impact of various interior design interventions in the first four residential care homes for children in a phased development of residential child care in South Lanarkshire. Three of the four houses were new-build properties, the fourth a refurbished Victorian villa. The interior design consultants had varying degrees of input to three of the houses ranging from specifying interior furnishings for communal areas in one house to selecting interior furniture and decoration in all rooms in another house. One of the houses had no input from the consultants as the interior had been completed before they were commissioned.

4.3.1 House A is a new build property situated within a private housing estate. Graven Images had a wide remit for this particular house spanning the hallway, dining kitchen, sunroom, sitting rooms, bathrooms, studies, bedrooms and quiet room. Staff commented that on moving into the house, it looked good. However, once occupied, poor quality materials specified by the architect and lack of finish became apparent. All the young people liked the interiors of their bedrooms and generally liked the sitting room and dining kitchen. They were more divided about the bathrooms. Their key issue concerned the colour scheme and most commented that they would like more colour throughout the house. Staff tended to be more critical, considering that aspects of the design were not child-friendly.

House B is a two-storey new build property within a private housing estate. The interior of the house was completed before Graven Images were commissioned. Again, lack of robustness of materials specified by architects was commented upon by staff. Young people gave a mixed response on their liking of their bedrooms, the sitting room and the dining kitchen. Most did not like the bathrooms. Staff were more positive about the interior design than the young people.

House C is a refurbished, two-storey Victorian villa close to the town centre. This was one of the first houses to have input from Graven Images. The space and size of the rooms were commented upon positively. Young people liked the sitting room, bathrooms and bedrooms. They were more mixed about the dining kitchen. The overall impression from staff was that the house looked great even if it was not to their taste. Issues arose around design features which were intended to be personalised by young people but not implanted well by staff. Some staff also expressed concern that the house raised expectations beyond what could reasonably be achieved by young people.

House D is a new build property situated in an affluent residential area close to the town centre. Graven Images had a broad remit for the interior design of the house. The architectural style of the house is notably different from surrounding properties and some staff considered it 'stuck out'. All the young people liked the dining kitchen, bedrooms and bathrooms but there was a more mixed response to the sitting room. Staff commented positively on the kitchen and bedrooms but the majority did not like the sitting room interior. A recurring comment from both young people and staff was that the colour scheme was dull, with the red wall in the kitchen prompting the only consistent positive response.

4.3.2 The key themes regarding the design of rooms identified in the research relate broadly to three categories: personalising space, aesthetics and functionality. A contrast in focus of response between young people and staff was apparent throughout the research. In particular, young people were more descriptive, commenting on aesthetics, while staff opinions tended to focus on functionality. What staff considered appropriate for a residential care home and what young people liked or chose to comment upon often differed. Some staff suggested that having a quality living environment did impact on young people's self-esteem and helped to raise their aspirations. Other staff considered the interior design of the houses to be expensive and impractical for young people in care. It should be noted that staff comments on cost were based on their perceptions of cost rather than their knowledge of actual cost.

Personalising space is important in taking ownership and thus respecting the environment; it is therefore an important determinant in the success of the design. Consultation is a useful way of engaging users (young people and staff), ensuring their needs are recognised and involving them in the process. Young people suggested they want to be involved in the design process, particularly in relation to their bedrooms. In relation to aesthetics, young people mainly commented on the colour scheme, the sofas and accessories such as plants. Staff tended to focus on functional aspects. The dining kitchen was often mentioned as the hub of the house.

4.3.3 In addition to design themes outlined above, other general themes that affect design were evident across the four houses. Over-occupancy of the four houses often results in a communal space being used as a temporary bedroom. Reducing the amount of shared space in a house puts pressure on both staff and young people. Having an open access workspace or study elicited mixed reactions from staff. Some considered it to be a good idea and appropriate not to restrict access for young people as the house is their home. Others thought that the freedom to come and go resulted in too many distractions for staff and could compromise privacy. Managing the relocation is an important consideration for staff and young people settling in, and taking ownership of a new house.

Smaller homes were considered more friendly and homely and were considered to have a positive impact on relationships between young people and young people and staff; and among staff themselves.

4.4 We outline a draft framework for a design tool that can be used by commissioning organisations to devise a design brief and as a reference guide for design consultants. The items noted relate specifically to information gathered during this exploratory pilot study of four homes. The list is, therefore, not exhaustive and further points of reference will be relevant for different types of care units outside the four referred to in this exploratory pilot study. A comprehensive design tool will contain a broader framework highlighting issues and opportunities related to specific types of environment: for example, refurbishment of an existing property, or new buildings intended for long-term or short-term stay. The framework covers: site selection; architectural; exterior; layout; space - size, proportions and types of space; structural elements; interior lighting; interior spaces; interior features; and consultation. Each section begins with a contextual quotation from staff interviews.

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