The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published an inspection report on the Child and Family Agency’s (Tusla’s) foster care services in the Kerry service area. 

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 foster care services provided by Tusla and to report on its findings to the Minister, and to inspect services taking care of a child on behalf of Tusla, including non-statutory providers of foster care. HIQA monitors foster care services against the 2003 National Standards for Foster Care.

HIQA conducted a follow-up inspection of the foster care service in Kerry in October 2021, to assess the progress of the area in relation to actions taken to address the risks identified in previous HIQA inspections. Of the six standards assessed, one was major non-compliant, one was moderate non-compliant, two were substantially   compliant, and two were compliant.  

The area had reduced the level of risk, and while not achieving full compliance in all standards assessed, had moved to improved levels of compliance. 

Major non-compliance was found with regard to supervision and support of foster carers. Poor quality and infrequent supervisory visits meant that the service provided was not consistently safe and effective for children in care. As a result, an urgent compliance plan was issued to the area and a satisfactory response was received.  

Overall, children reported positive experiences of foster care and the social work department, and progress had been made to ensure that each child in care had a dedicated social worker. Despite this, some children experienced multiple changes in social worker, which they found challenging. Staff vacancies and movement prior to and up to the time of the inspection was a significant factor in limiting the service’s ability to progress improvements and the quality of the service.

This inspection report and compliance plan can be found at the link below.