Drylaw House

Edinburgh

About Drylaw House

Drylaw House is a children and young people's care home located in Edinburgh, operated by City of Edinburgh Council. At its most recent Care Inspectorate inspection in December 2025, the service achieved an average grade of Very Good, rated 5 out of 6 on Scotland's care quality scale, reflecting a strong commitment to delivering high-quality care for its residents.

The home provides general care for children and young people, supporting younger residents in a nurturing and structured environment. As a council-operated service, Drylaw House benefits from the resources and oversight of City of Edinburgh Council, ensuring consistent standards of care and support for those placed there.

Situated in Edinburgh, the home is well positioned within the city, allowing residents to maintain connections with their local communities, families, and support networks. The Very Good Care Inspectorate rating offers families reassurance about the quality of care provided at this service.

Last Inspection

11 December 2025

Care Inspectorate Grades

Care homes in Scotland are graded on a 6-point scale (1-6) across five key questions. Grades range from Unsatisfactory (1) to Excellent (6).

Wellbeing Support

How well do we support people's wellbeing?

Very Good5

Care Planning

How good is our care and support planning?

Very Good5

Setting

How good is our setting?

Very Good5

Staff Team

How good is our staff team?

Very Good5

Leadership

How good is our leadership?

Very Good5

View Full Report on Care Inspectorate

5 Questions to Ask on Your Visit

When visiting Drylaw House, consider asking...

1.How do you support young people to maintain contact with their family?
2.What education and skills development is available?
3.How do you handle situations where a young person is distressed or at risk?
4.How are young people involved in decisions about their own care?
5.What does the transition plan look like as a young person approaches adulthood?

5 Things to Look For on Your Visit

When you visit Drylaw House, look out for...

1.Does the environment feel homely and age-appropriate, not institutional?
2.Do staff interact with young people as individuals, not just service users?
3.Is there evidence of personalisation -- young people's own belongings, artwork, choices?
4.Do young people seem comfortable and relaxed around staff?
5.Is the atmosphere positive and nurturing, or tense and controlled?