Frequently asked questions

Q. Do you have systems in place for timely and accurate recording of National Drug Treatment Monitoring System (NTDMS) data and other data e.g. DIRweb.?

Yes, at Cranstoun each Service Manager holds direct responsibility for maintaining quality standards in information management and data reporting within their Service, closely monitored by the Quality and Effectiveness Manager and the Area Manager. High quality data reporting and analysis is an integral and essential component of the organisation's functioning, regardless of whether the end user is an external or internal person or organisation.

With the external support of its IT support team, Micro-Engineering, Cranstoun operates a Central Knowledge Base, via a central server hosted IT directory of key organisational information and data. This provides the infrastructure to securely store and maintain vital knowledge, including governance, management and business development resources, finance and accounts, policies and procedures, organisational statistics, and training and interventions materials. This is a centrally managed system and materials are regularly reviewed and updated. All of these resources are made available to all staff internally via the Intranet, which is also regularly maintained and updated.

With the recent implementation of the ILLY Links Care Path System, Cranstoun can ensure quality data recording. We also recognise that being able to easily access, share and manage records is an essential tool to effective case management.

Q. What are the details of the qualifications, competence and relevant experience of your managerial staff.

Cranstoun is an Investors in People registered employer. The skills, aptitudes, knowledge, experience, and competence required for every worker's role are clearly and objectively defined by the organisation.

Cranstoun is fully committed to developing the full potential of its staff so that a quality service, that meets the needs of the people who use Cranstoun's services, is delivered. Cranstoun will therefore continue to ensure workforce planning addresses not only short term but also medium and long-term human resource and staff development issues. Through this framework, Cranstoun, as an organisation, is accountable for continuously improving the quality of its services and safeguarding high standards of care by creating an environment in which health and social care's excellence will flourishes.

Cranstoun hold pride in its extensive training programme for all its employees, including its volunteer personnel.

Managers from Team Leader and above are required to achieve NVQ4 in Management as a minimum standard, with Team Leaders being offered the Institute of Leadership and Management and (ILM) L2 in leadership and NVQ L3 Management. Service Managers can also obtain the ILM L3 in first line management.

All Managers are provided with first aid and fire warden training and from April 2010 all Cranstoun Administration Managers require ITQ Level 2 NVQ for IT users or NVQ Business Administration Levels 2 and 3.

All Cranstoun's core competency training is DANOS compliant with reviews held every three years. The training strategy for those overseeing the care and welfare of vulnerable children and adults has been developed in partnership with the NSPCC. The content for each training level (A, B and C) has been written by Melanie Pace, Senior Consultant Training and Development at the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

Senior staff personnel are also required to attend residential NSPCC training Level C. Managers (supported by the line management system) hold professional, organisational and personal responsibility to act on child welfare concerns within an inter-agency or multi agency context and will hold the responsibility to oversee the work of their staff teams.

Q. How many staff does your organisation have?

A. Cranstoun currently employ 213 full time staff members, incorporating:

We also employ volunteers and relief staff, incorporating: