Children’s services publication statement 15 October 2026

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published three inspection reports on children’s residential centres operated by the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) in the Mid West, the South East and the South West regions. These three Tusla emergency centres had formerly been operating as Tusla Special Emergency Arrangements (SEAs). Tusla established these centres where a shortfall in regulated emergency placements, residential care or foster care placements for children had been experienced. Tusla took over responsibility for the governance of these centres under Section 59(a) of the Child Care Act 1991 (as amended).

HIQA conducted unannounced inspections of these centres between June and July 2026 to assess seven of the National Standards for Children in Residential Centres (2018). Overall, improvements were required in respect to compliance with the national standards. In two of the three centres, there were some governance arrangements in place, and the care and support provided to children was effective. In the remaining centre there were no effective governance arrangements in place, with no centre manager to oversee the running of the centre.

In all three centres the statement of purpose did not contain the required details and did not accurately reflect the programme of care for the children living there. In addition, there were gaps in all three centres in respect to staff having the required Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2017) training.

Of the seven national standards assessed, three standards were substantially compliant, and four standards were not compliant.

Governance arrangements in place were not effective. There was no centre manager in place, and the centre was run daily by staff who did not receive any training, supervision or guidance in their roles and responsibilities, and there was no accountability regarding the care offered to the young people in the centre.

The young people were informed about their right to complain, and they were informed about advocacy services they could avail of to assist them. The care and support provided to the young people in the centre was not always based on their individual needs.

Of the seven national standards assessed, HIQA found two standards were compliant, four standards were substantially compliant, and one standard was not compliant.

There were some effective leadership and governance arrangements and effective risk management frameworks in place within the centre, and significant events were well managed. Communication systems were effective and the staff team were competent and provided good care to the young people. Young people were safeguarded from abuse and neglect, and their rights, care and welfare were protected and promoted. The young people were receiving care and support based on their individual needs.

HIQA found that the centre was operating outside of its statement of purpose, which stated that the maximum number of children that the centre could care for was one. However, at the time of the inspection, two children were living there. Areas for improvement in the centre included management of some care practices, staff training and internal quality assurance mechanisms. In addition, Tusla’s oversight of staff files required improvement.

Of the seven national standards assessed, two standards were compliant, four standards were substantially compliant and one standard was not compliant.

HIQA found that the reporting arrangements and lines of accountability between Tusla managers in the governance and oversight of the centre were not sufficiently clear. Staff responded appropriately to child protection concerns by referring them to the relevant social work department and reporting to Tusla through the portal in line with Children First (2017), however, there was evidence that staff had not fully completed all the required Children First (2017) training modules.

There were systems in place to ensure that young people’s rights were promoted and respected, and they were receiving good care and support that reflected their individual needs. There were policies and procedures in place to protect young people from all forms of abuse and neglect. The centre had implemented Tusla’s risk management framework, and the centre manager maintained a risk register that was reviewed regularly and when risks occurred.

Tusla submitted compliance plans following each of the three inspections to address the issues identified.

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 children’s residential care services by the Child and Family Agency (Tusla). HIQA monitors Tusla’s performance against the National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres (2018) and advises the Minister and Tusla.