The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published a report on Coovagh House Special Care Unit. Special care units are secure residential units for children aged 11 years to 17 years. Children are placed in a special care unit by a court when their behaviour poses a risk of harm to their life, health, safety, development or welfare, and the placement is needed for the child’s care and protection. 

HIQA inspects against the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Children in Special Care units) Regulations 2017 and the National Standards for Special Care Units, which apply to special care units in Ireland. 

This announced inspection was carried out between 9 and 10 June 2021. The aim of this inspection was to assess ongoing compliance with the regulations and to gain further information in relation to the centre's application for renewal of registration. Overall, inspectors found a good level of compliance with the regulations, with some improvement needed in the provision of staff supervision and in the reporting process for child protection concerns.

This inspection found that children received good quality care and support that was responsive to their individual needs. Children’s rights in relation to participation and involving them in decision-making were supported by staff who advocated promptly on children’s behalf. Children wanted to see improvements in relation to planning and in providing timely onward placements.

There were management systems in place to ensure that the care provided to children was safe, consistent and appropriate to their needs. There was effective governance and leadership of the centre. Governance and management structures were clear and set out the lines of authority and accountability, and risk was well managed. 

Inspectors found that staffing levels were sufficient having regard to the number of children placed in the centre at the time of this inspection. There was a good level of support provided to managers and staff in the centre, and a culture of learning, progression and development of practice and service delivery. However, staff supervision was irregular and not occurring in line with centre policy. 

Restrictive procedures were carried out in line with national policy and children’s safety and welfare were prioritised. Inspectors found that good quality care and support was provided to children during times of escalated or challenging behaviour.

The safety and welfare of children was protected and promoted within the service and child protection concerns were reported in a timely way. All staff had completed mandatory Children First training in relation to safeguarding children. 

There was a lack of onward placements for some children, which delayed their discharge from the centre. Although this was escalated to Tusla’s corporate risk register, this risk remained for the service and children placed there.