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 Dublin South Central 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 thematic inspection of the foster care service in Dublin South Central in November 2021. These thematic inspections are primarily focused on assessing the efficacy of governance arrangements across foster care services and the impact these arrangements have for children in receipt of foster care. This thematic programme is the third and final phase of a three-phased schedule of inspection programmes monitoring foster care services.

Of the eight standards assessed, one was moderate non-compliant, six were substantially compliant, and one was compliant.  

The governance and management systems in Dublin South Central were effective, and provided the area manager with assurance that the service provided was safe, consistent and appropriate to the needs of children and their families. The service was well led, organised and managed appropriately with clear policies and procedures to guide staff in their practice. Staff and external professionals reported that there were strong leadership and management systems in place, where individual roles and responsibilities were clear. There was a commitment to service improvement, and a culture of learning was embedded within practice. The service was child centred, and the voice of children was central to the work carried out by the service. 

Despite significant efforts being made by the service at a local level, the recruitment of foster carers in the area continued to be a significant risk for the service and needed to be explored further. Foster carers were well supported, and the service continued to review practices in relation to the recruitment and retention of foster carers.

This inspection report can be found at the link below.