(Image: PA)
A boarding school for the children of armed forces personnel has been warned it may lose its registration if it does not make a “significant improvement” to the service it provides.
The Care Inspectorate said an inspection has identified “significant concerns” about the quality of care experienced by pupils at Queen Victoria School in Dunblane.
It has issued a formal improvement notice setting out a number of changes it said must be made.
These include ensuring that there is sufficient understanding and oversight of young people’s allergies and ongoing health needs to “safeguard their health and wellbeing”.
The school has also been ordered to develop and implement child protection procedures which follow national guidance in Scotland to “ensure that children are protected from harm”.
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The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said that the safeguarding and wellbeing of pupils at the school is its “highest priority” and it is working to address the concerns raised by the Care Inspectorate.
A Care Inspectorate spokesperson said: “An inspection has identified significant concerns about the quality of care experienced by pupils at Queen Victoria School in Dunblane.
“We understand this is a difficult and distressing time for pupils, their families and staff at the service.
“However, our first priority is always the health and wellbeing of people.
“Because of our concerns we have issued an Improvement Notice.
“This sets out the significant improvements that must be made within a specified timeframe.
“We are in contact with and monitoring the service to follow up on the required improvements.”
The school has also been ordered to ensure that the premises are fit to be used for the provision of a care service, and to carry out environmental safety audits across all boarding accommodation and “implement necessary corrective actions”.
It has also been told to ensure that young people’s health, safety and support are “effectively monitored and evaluated through effective governance procedures”.
The improvement notice warned that unless there is a “significant improvement in provision of the service”, the Care Inspectorate intends to make a proposal to cancel the school’s registration”.
A report of the most recent inspection will be published in due course.
Queen Victoria School (QVS) has been looking after the children of UK armed forces personnel since 1908, according to its website.
An MoD spokesperson said: “The safeguarding and wellbeing of pupils at Queen Victoria School is our highest priority.
“We take the Care Inspectorate’s findings extremely seriously and are working closely with them to address all the concerns raised.
“Action is being taken across Queen Victoria School, Defence Children Services and Defence Business Services to strengthen safeguarding arrangements, reporting processes, staff training and support for pupils.
“We will continue to work with the Care Inspectorate and other relevant agencies to ensure the required improvements are delivered and pupils are safe and properly supported.”