A BALLOCH care home will be monitored by council officers after its Care Inspectorate grades deteriorated this year – causing a financial risk to West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP).

Sunningdale, at Mollanbowie Road, was assessed as “very good” in care and support, environment, staffing and management and leadership in 2015.

However, after an inspection at the end of January, the facility dropped to “good” in care and support and staffing.

The National Care Home Contract provides additional quality payments to homes if they receive a “very good” or “excellent” rating in quality of care and support and one of the other three categories.

But if Sunningdale’s grades do not return to “very good” by its next inspection, the payments will be removed.

Wendy Jack, the interim head of strategy, planning and health improvement at West Dunbartonshire HSCP, said officers will keep “an eye” on the facility.

She said at last Wednesday’s HSCP audit committee: “It’s gone from ‘very good’ to ‘good’, which is still acceptable, but we will keep an eye on it.

“I don’t think it’s an underlying concern. I think it’s just a blip. It can often be dependent on who is inspecting and what is happening on the day of the inspection.”

Meanwhile, the HSCP’s Throughcare team received a strong report from the Care Inspectorate for the level of support it provides to vulnerable young people at risk of homelessness.

Staff were commended for their commitment to advocating for the young people and supporting them to achieve their aspirations.

The inspection team also praised the support plans and assessments in place, which helped to contribute to their positive outcomes.

Councillor Marie McNair, chair of the HSCP, said: “This is an excellent report for our management and staff at Throughcare who are clearly offering an outstanding level of care.

“It is rare for a service to be graded as excellent and this report is testament to the hard work and commitment by our dedicated staff.”