Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 25 inspection reports on 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 services for people with disabilities in Ireland. 

Of these 25 inspections, inspectors found a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 14 centres, including in centres operated by Ability West; Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG; Carriglea Cáirde Services and Daughters of Charity Disability Support Services. 
Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

• In an Ability West centre in Galway, although residents’ personal goals had been put on hold due to COVID-19, they had been supported to identify and participate in alternatives, such as plane watching, having picnics and attending online classes. 
• Residents in a Carriglea Cáirde Services centre in Waterford had been supported to maintain relationships with family and friends during the COVID-19 pandemic, by purchasing new phones, laptops and computer devices which helped them to keep in touch. 

Inspectors identified non-compliance with the regulations and standards on 11 inspections. 

Following a series of poor inspection findings in centres operated by Camphill Communities of Ireland in 2020, the registered provider was required to submit a comprehensive national improvement plan. The two inspection reports published today formed part of HIQA’s ongoing monitoring programme of the provider. While the provider was in the process of implementing their improvement plan at the time of the inspections, in one centre inspectors continued to find non-compliance in the overall management of the centre and in the area of positive behavioural support. In the other centre, improvement was required in arrangements for the containment of fire. 

Inspectors found non-compliance in three Daughters of Charity Disability Support Services. In two centres, the current staffing levels were not appropriate to meet the identified needs of residents. In the other centre, the provider had not ensured the service was appropriate to residents’ needs and safely and effectively monitored. 

Non-compliance was identified in inspections of four COPE Foundation centres. Improvements to governance and management arrangements were required to ensure the centres were adequately resourced and that the supports provided reflected resident’s needs.

Inspectors found non-compliance in two Brothers of Charity Services centres. In one centre, the provider had not ensured that residents had the freedom to exercise choice and control in their lives. In the other centre, improvement was required in the arrangements to protect residents from the risk of fire.

Read all reports at www.hiqa.ie.