The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published an inspection report on a children’s residential centre operated by the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) in the South region. HIQA conducted this unannounced follow-up inspection over two days in February 2025. The inspection primarily focused on the areas of highest-risk that were found to be not compliant against the national standards during the previous inspection of the centre in October 2024. Of the eight national standards assessed, the service was found to be complaint with four, substantially compliant with three and not complaint with one standard.

Management and staff had made significant progress to implement the actions outlined in its compliance plan from the previous inspection to come back into compliance with the national standards. All but one of the actions outlined in the compliance plan had been completed. Management had strengthened the audit process, improvements were made in the management of risk that included indicators of child sexual exploitation and the restrictive practice register was more detailed and of good quality. The centre manager had liaised with senior management and Tusla’s recruitment team regarding workforce planning due to vacancies on the staff team. As a result, four positions had been approved.

Staff and managers were experienced and knowledgeable about their approach in meeting the individual needs of children. Staff developed a positive culture with children through developing open and respectful partnerships with them.

However, the inspection found that leadership and governance needed to be strengthened in the service to establish clearer roles and responsibilities for the staff team at all levels. A change in management personnel had occurred in 2024 and, as a result, the roles and responsibilities within the team were not clear at all levels. This had impacted on staff morale. Management had not focused on nurturing the culture within the service and investing in building constructive and supportive working relationships with the staff team.

The provider has submitted a compliance plan to address the issues identified, outlining how it intends to come into full compliance. 

Notes:

• 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, 2018 and advises the Minister and Tusla.