Kerelaw to receive more staff

Staffing is to be increased at a secure residential school for
some of Scotland’s most disturbed children, Glasgow
Council’s social work department has announced.

Kerelaw has been afflicted by reports of violent incidents,
attempted suicides, reports of drug taking and poor inspection
reports. A fatal accident inquiry will be held next month into the
death of Graham Kerr (14), who died in January of a suspected
overdose.

Rab Murray, Glasgow Council’s depute director of social work,
said: “There is a recognition that standards of care could be
significantly improved with more staff.”

Twenty-two new posts are to be created as part of a
£788,000 package of improvements. This will increase the
school’s budget by 20 per cent to £4.8 million, and result in
a 6 per cent increase in fees, currently £1,231 per week in
the main school and £2,221 in the secure unit.

The long-term plan is for Kerelaw to be demolished, and replaced
by a purpose built school at a cost of £18 million.