Disability services publication statement 14 January 2019

Date of publication:

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published 27 inspection reports on 25 designated centres for people with disabilities. HIQA inspects against the Health Act 2007 (Care and Support of Residents in Designated Centres for Persons (Children and Adults) with Disabilities) Regulations 2013 and the National Standards for Residential Services for Children and Adults with Disabilities, which apply to residential and respite services for people with disabilities in Ireland.

Inspectors found a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 17 inspections, including in centres operated by An Breacadh Nua, Carriglea Cáirde Services, and Western Care Association. In these centres, the provider was ensuring a good standard of support and care at the time of inspection. Non-compliance with regulations and standards was found in 10 inspections.

Reports on 13 centres operated by Brothers of Charity Services have been published. While eight services were found to be in compliance with the regulations and standards, non-compliance was identified in five centres. Non-compliances in these centres related to areas such as the management of risk, fire precautions, staffing numbers and staff training, and the oversight of restrictive practices.

In particular, inspectors were very concerned about the findings from two inspections in one of the centres operated by Brothers of Charity Services. During the first inspection it was found that the provider had failed to take adequate precautions in relation to fire safety, safeguarding and suitable staff resources. Subsequently, the provider was required to take immediate corrective actions in relation to three areas of risk. A follow-up inspection was later carried out where it was found that the provider had not adequately addressed the issues relating to the three immediate actions or a number of other regulatory breaches identified on the first inspection. The provider has been issued with a notice of proposal to cancel this centre’s registration and inspectors continue to monitor the centre closely.

Three reports on two centres operated by Camphill Communities of Ireland have also been published. A notice of proposal to cancel the registration of one centre had been issued in October 2017. While the provider had addressed the majority of issues, immediate fire upgrade works were still required in some of the units that comprise this centre. An initial inspection of another Camphill Communities centre found inadequate governance, management and oversight, with a significant staff turnover in the preceding 12 months; poor oversight and management of safeguarding concerns; and a failure to ensure that safeguarding policy and procedures had been followed regarding the reporting and investigation of alleged abuse. A follow-up inspection of this centre found that the provider had made a number of improvements, but further work was required to ensure residents’ needs could be appropriately met in this centre.

Reports on three centres operated by St Michael’s House have also been published. While two centres were found to be meeting the requirements of the regulations and standards, in one centre, internal auditing failed to identify areas of regulatory non-compliance. For example, there was an absence of safeguarding plans in relation to historical incidents, which had not been managed in accordance with the Health Service Executive’s national safeguarding policy.