Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 27 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 27 inspections, inspectors found a generally good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in seven centres operated by a number of providers including; Ability West, Autism Initiatives Ireland CLG, Avista CLG, Communicare Agency Ltd, and Dara Residential Services.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included: 

• At a centre in Mayo operated by Communicare Agency Ltd, residents had regular meetings to discuss and plan their events and gather their views on the centre and everyday life, which reflected their choices and preferences. Staff helped the residents on a daily basis to understand and manage their schedule effectively, through a person-centred approach and with the use of communication tools available in the centre, which included photos, gestures and objects of reference.
• At a centre in Offaly operated by Avista CLG, residents were supported by staff to make daily decisions and choices about the care and support they received. Residents participated in regular meetings at the centre where they were updated on any changes and made aware of their rights. They were also supported to have very active lives, with residents enjoying activities such as taking trips away, going to the local bowling alley, having meals out, swimming and horse riding.
• At a centre in Kildare operated by Dara Residential Services, the provider had a rights coordinator in place, whose role was to inform residents about their rights and how to be actively involved in the running of the centre and making decisions on their care and support. Residents were supported to both access day services or have paid employment, with one resident having both a paid job and also volunteering in their local community. 

Inspectors identified non-compliance with the regulations and standards on a further 20 inspections. 

Eleven reports identifying non-compliance have been published on centres operated by Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG. A high level of non-compliance was identified at one centre where improvements were needed in fire safety, staffing, premises, staff training, measures to protect against infection, residents’ rights and safeguarding. Across the remaining 10 centres, non-compliance with regulations was identified in areas including fire safety, staffing, premises, safeguarding incidents, measures to protect against infection, residents’ rights and premises. 

Inspectors noted a high level of non-compliance at a centre operated by COPE Foundation. Improvements were required in fire safety, staffing, measures to protect against infection, management of safeguarding incidents, risks, complaints, medications, and residents’ rights.

Four non-compliant reports have been published on centres operated by Ability West. Improvements were required in areas such as residents’ personal plans, risk management, staffing, and premises. 

Two non-compliant reports have been published on centres operated by Avista CLG. Improvements were required in managing risks and safeguarding concerns, staff training, residents’ contracts and staffing.  At a centre operated by CoAction West Cork CLG, improvements were required in measures to protect against infection, residents’ rights, premises and governance. 

Finally, residents’ personal plans and the premises required improvements at a centre operated by Camphill Communities of Ireland.

 

Read all reports by following the link below.