The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published two reports on children’s residential centres operated by the Child and Family Agency (Tusla), in the Dublin North East region and South East region. 

Earlier this year, HIQA commenced a programme of inspections focused on the safeguarding of children and young people living in children’s residential centres. This programme of inspections examined how effective the leadership and management of each centre is at ensuring a rights-based, good quality and safe service. Each centre is assessed against the National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres (2018).

In March 2025, inspectors conducted unannounced inspections in two centres, with both centres assessed against eight national standards. 

The centre in the Dublin North East region was found to be compliant with three, substantially compliant with two and not compliant with three national standards. The centre in the South East region was found to be compliant with two, substantially compliant with four and not compliant with two national standards. 

Overall, the inspections found there were effective oversight systems in place to safeguard children and young people. Children were treated with dignity and respect and safeguarding practices in the centres respected children’s rights and promoted their welfare. Safeguarding training was attended by staff and safeguarding concerns were appropriately reported in line with Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2017). However, in some instances, the cumulative impact of behaviours of concern had not been recognised as child welfare concerns. Improvements were required in recording practices in both centres, including recording of significant events and child protection concerns. Efforts to support young people in learning from incidents were not routinely documented, and records and actions relating to the management of complaints as well as the use and assessment of restrictive practices required improvement. The centre in the South East region required refurbishment to ensure the environment can contribute to promoting young people’s rights, wellbeing and independence.

The inspections found that recruitment of staff was not consistently carried out in line with Tusla’s procedure on safe recruitment practices. In addition, the provider’s suite of policies and procedures guiding staff practice in children’s residential centres and those relevant to safeguarding had not been reviewed and updated as required.

Following the inspections, management submitted satisfactory compliance plans to address the issues identified during the inspections. 

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.