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 Dublin Mid Leinster region.

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.

HIQA conducted this unannounced inspection over two days in July 2023. The inspection primarily focused on the leadership and management of the centre and the quality and safety of care provided to children. Additionally, it focused on the care and support that children received and how their rights were promoted and realised. Of the eight standards assessed, six were found to be compliant and two were substantially compliant.

Overall, the service provided was high quality, child centred and actively promoted children’s rights. Young people’s placements were tailored to meet their individual needs. Staff were aware of their roles and responsibilities for keeping children safe and management oversight of the care delivery was good. There were clear and effective governance and management arrangements in place with clear lines of accountability to deliver safe and effective care and support.

Staff demonstrated a clear understanding of their safeguarding responsibilities and provided young people with safe care. While staff and management showed awareness of risks around exploitation, there was a need for all staff to engage with available training to ensure that they were adequately trained to manage such risks effectively.

A positive approach was taken by staff regarding the management of behaviours that challenged. Restrictive practices were monitored and regularly reviewed. However, further improvement in the recording of restrictive practices was required. 

Following the inspection, management submitted a satisfactory compliance plan to address the two standards deemed substantially compliant. 

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