The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published a report on a children’s residential centre operated by the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) in the Dublin North East region. 

In November 2025, HIQA conducted an unannounced inspection of a new children’s residential centre, which opened in June 2025, to monitor compliance with the National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres (2018). The residential centre had been recently renovated and the environment was homely, clean and welcoming. The centre provided opportunities for rest, play, recreation and skills development, including access to communal spaces both indoor and outdoor. The statement of purpose outlined an extensive range of functions to be delivered by the service. 

The staff and centre management promoted and respected the young people’s dignity and privacy regarding their personal space, personal communication, professional consultations and personal information. Young people’s placements were informed by assessments of their needs in advance of admission. The centre management and staff worked collaboratively with the young people’s social workers on placement goals and care planning. However, one young person did not have an up-to-date care plan on file. The young people were not subject to any restrictive practices.

The internal management structure was appropriate to the size and purpose of the service. There was a well-planned and organised workforce to ensure adequate numbers of skilled and experienced staff on each shift. There were good communication systems in operation within the centre. 

Overall, staff and managers were knowledgeable about areas of safeguarding and child protection. The centre maintained a register of child protection concerns, including relevant details as required. However, the identification and reporting of child protection and welfare concerns required improvement, as staff did not always identify child protection and welfare concerns when they arose.  

Following the inspection, management submitted a satisfactory compliance plan to address the issues identified during the inspection. 

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