The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published an inspection report on a children’s residential centre.

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. 

An announced inspection of a statutory children’s residential centre in the Tusla Dublin North East region was carried out between 7 and 8 July 2021. The centre was found to be compliant with seven of the nine national standards assessed, and substantially compliant with the remaining two standards.

This was a well-run centre which had effective management systems in place to ensure that good quality care was provided to children. Each child’s individualised needs were met, including children’s health, emotional and educational needs. Children’s care was supported by comprehensive care planning, which was reflected in complete and up-to-date documentation. There were sufficient numbers of staff working in the centre, who had the appropriate skills and experience to provide care to children. Children were supported to develop and maintain relationships with their family, friends and local community. 

The children who spoke with the inspector described positive experiences of living in the centre. They felt that the house was “lovely”, that staff cared for them and that they were safe in the centre.

The inspector found that safeguarding measures were in place in the centre, but improvements were needed to ensure that all child protection concerns for children in the centre were classified as such and reported in line with child protection policy and procedure. Additionally, the centre’s statement of purpose required review to ensure it complied with the national standards.