National Children's Standards
Our inspectors monitor various services for children and young people against different standards and related regulations. The standards describe the quality and safety of services that should be provided to children including child protection and welfare services, foster care, residential care, statutory special care, and detention schools.
The aim of the inspections of these services is to ensure that each child or young person is being cared for safely and well and that they are actively supported to achieve their potential. The standards tell children and parents what they should expect from these services. The current standards for children and young people are:
National Standards for the Protection and Welfare of Children
For Health Service Executive Children and Family Services July 2012
The National Standards for the Protection and Welfare of Children apply to the HSE Children and Family Services, to ensure that adequate care and protection is given to children.
The Standards are designed to follow a child’s journey within the child protection system to ensure that his or her safety and welfare is being protected. Along that journey children will need to be supported - with the child always at the centre of everything that is done.
National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres
The National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres a apply to children living in community residential centres including high support units. There is also a children's version of the standards and a version for young people.
National Standards for Special Care Units
The National Standards for Special Care Units relate to special care units. These units provide intensive short term support to children in a secure setting and are inspected every year. We are currently reviewing the standards for special care units.
National Standards for Foster Care
The National Standards for Foster Care relate to children placed in foster care and with relatives. A children's version of the standards has also been produced, called the Children's book about Foster Care.
Standards and Criteria for Children Detention Schools
The Standards and Criteria for Children Detention Schools apply to children placed in Detention Schools. These schools are inspected annually.
