The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published an inspection report on the non-statutory foster care service operated by Origins Foster Care.

HIQA conducted the inspection of Origins Foster Care service on 3 to 5 March 2026 to assess compliance with the National Standards for Foster Care (2003). The inspection focused on the safeguarding of children and young people placed in foster care. Placements are commissioned by the Child and Family Agency’s (Tusla’s) service area teams. HIQA found that the service was compliant with all five standards assessed during this inspection.   

HIQA found that Origins Foster Care treated children with dignity, respect and promoted their rights. Children told inspectors that they felt listened to. Origins Foster Care actively promoted children participating in the decisions that impacted their care. Foster carers also spoke highly of the support and guidance they and their own children received. Foster carers and their families felt valued by Origins Foster Care.

The inspection found that there were effective policies and guidance in place with a strong focus on safeguarding. There were robust risk management systems in place with clear procedures for identifying and managing risks. Foster carers had a good understanding of their role in keeping children safe, and they were consistently supported and guided in their role by their link workers. There was strong leadership, governance and oversight arrangements in place with effective systems to monitor the quality and safety of the service. 

Foster carers were approved in line with the service’s assessment policies and received relevant information and training. Foster carer assessments were thorough and any delays in processes were openly documented and supported by a clear rationale.

Foster carers participated in regular, timely and thorough reviews of their ongoing capacity to provide care to foster children. The service had policies and procedures in place to schedule additional reviews if needed. Reviews included the views of children and other relevant stakeholders, and link workers maintained records and oversight. 

Note:

• HIQA is authorised by the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality 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 service against the National Standards for Foster Care (2003) and advises the Minister and Tusla.