The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published an inspection report on one children’s residential centre.

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 the Child and Family Agency (Tusla). HIQA monitors Tusla’s performance against the National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres and reports on its findings to the Minister.

An unannounced inspection of a statutory children’s residential centre was carried out on 11 and 12 January 2022 in Tusla’s South region. The findings of this inspection were positive and there was a good level of compliance with the national standards.

Inspectors found that the centre was well managed, and provided good quality care to young people. Young people told inspectors that they were well cared for, felt safe, and felt involved in decisions made about their lives. Inspectors found that each young person received the care and support they needed and that their rights were promoted. The person-centred approach to care in the centre enhanced the wellbeing of the young people living there. 

However, it has been a long-standing finding by HIQA that the premises was not fit for purpose as a children’s residential centre. While staff and the management team had made significant changes in order to make the centre more homely, the design and location of the building remained unsuitable. Tusla management confirmed that plans were in place to re-locate to new premises in 2022. Progress in this regard will be monitored by HIQA in the coming months.

The inspection report and compliance plan can be found on www.hiqa.ie.