The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published an inspection report on a 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 announced inspection of a statutory children’s residential centre in the Tusla West region was carried out between 24 and 25 February 2021. The centre was found to be compliant with each of the six national standards assessed.

This was a well-run centre, with effective management systems in place, and good leadership. As a result, young people experienced safe care in a centre which was continuously developing and improving. 

The young people who talked with the inspector were positive about their care and their experience of living in the centre. They said that they were ‘looked after well’. Consultation with young people was good, and they were encouraged to participate in decision-making processes about their care. Young people’s rights, as well as their cultural and religious beliefs, were respected and promoted, and they were supported to maintain good contact with their family and friends. 

This inspection assessed the safety of staff recruitment processes, and the quality of staff supports. It found that there was a safe and effective recruitment process in place, and that the centre was well resourced. Supervision and support of staff members was good and levels of accountability were high. 

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