The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published an inspection report on a children’s residential centre operated by the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) in the West region. 

HIQA conducted this unannounced inspection over two days in August 2024. The inspection focused on the leadership, management and governance of the service, including the effectiveness of its workforce planning and support for the continual development of staff. Additionally, it considered the quality and safety of the service including recognition of children’s rights, how the service identified and met their needs and promoted their safety, health and wellbeing. Of the 12 standards assessed, the service was found to be compliant in 11 and substantially compliant in one. 

Children said they loved visiting the centre and thought that the staff were great. Foster carers and other professionals praised the quality of service leadership and the level of individual care given to each child. 

The service was well-led by a skilled, stable and experienced management team. The culture of the organisation was child centred, and the care provided was underpinned by effective team working and a shared drive to improve outcomes for children. However, the management team experienced difficulties staffing the centre and the centre was not able to operate at full capacity at all times as a result. 

The service setting was homely, child centred, and well maintained, with good facilities for play. Children’s safety, health, and development was clearly prioritised and regularly monitored and reviewed. Risks to children’s safety and wellbeing were effectively identified and managed.    

Notes:

• 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 Tusla. HIQA monitors Tusla’s performance against the National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres and advises the Minister and Tusla.