The purpose of a thematic programme is to promote quality improvement in designated centres for special care in Ireland for the benefit of children and young people placed in these centres. A thematic programme assesses compliance against the National Standards for Special Care (2014).  Registered providers are expected to use any learning from thematic inspection reports to continually improve services for children and young people placed in these centres. The following documents have been developed as part of a thematic programme:

• guidance Document — to assist registered providers of designated centres for special care and staff working in these centres to focus on quality improvement
• assessment-judgment framework — designed for use in the thematic inspections
• self-assessment questionnaire — to aid service providers to prepare for the Chief Inspector’s thematic programme
• quality improvement plan — to be used in conjunction with the self-assessment questionnaire.