The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published three inspection reports on children’s residential centres.

HIQA is authorised by the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth under Section 69 of the Child Care Act, 1991, as amended by Section 26 of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2011, to inspect children’s residential care services provided by the Child and Family Agency (Tusla). HIQA monitors Tusla’s performance against the National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres and reports on its findings to the Minister. 

Announced inspections of three statutory children’s residential centres in the Tusla South and Dublin Mid Leinster regions were carried out between June and July 2021. Of the nine standards assessed during each of these inspections, two centres were found to be compliant with seven standards, and the third centre with eight. Two centres had one standard which was non-compliant moderate and had compliance plans in place to address the deficit. All three centres were substantially compliant with the remaining standards.

All three centres were found to have appropriate governance and management structures in place to monitor practice and oversee the delivery of care to children and young people. Each centre’s statement of purpose and function clearly described the model of service delivered in the centre. There were sufficient numbers of competent and experienced staff working in each centre to ensure the needs of the children were met on a consistent basis. Improvement was required in two centres with regards to the design and location of the buildings, both of which remained unsuitable for the provision of mainstream residential care to young people.

There were systems in place to effectively manage risk in all three centres. 

Good quality care and support was provided to each young person in all three centres. Children were protected from abuse and there were good safeguarding practices in place. Where appropriate, children were helped and supported to prepare for adulthood. Placement plans and placement support plans were based on comprehensive assessments of need. However, in two centres not all care plans were up to date at the time of inspection. 

Children and young people who participated in these inspections spoke positively about their placements and felt cared for and supported by staff. Centres supported children and their families to keep in contact. Children's individuality was respected and their rights were promoted. In all three centres, care was provided in partnership with family members and professionals involved with them. Children’s views were sought, listened to and acted upon. They confirmed that staff treated them with dignity and respect. Children were supported to develop their capacity to promote their own wellbeing and to make decisions about their lives.