The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published an inspection report to assess whether the Child and Family Agency’s (Tusla’s) social workers in the Mid-West service area were fulfilling their statutory duties of monitoring placements for children in residential care. 



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 centres provided by Tusla. HIQA monitors Tusla’s performance against the Child Care (Placement of Children in Residential Care) Regulations 1995 and reports on its findings to the Minister. 



This inspection took place on 6 and 7 December 2022 and assessed compliance with regulations 22 to 25 of the Child Care (Placement of Children in Residential Care) Regulations 1995, which relate to the role of the social worker for children placed in residential centres. The inspection assessed compliance on four regulations on care records, care plan, supervision and visiting of children and review of cases. The service area was found to be compliant with two regulations and substantially compliant with the remaining two regulations. 



The service area had 30 children placed in residential care, and all children had an allocated social worker who visited them. The majority, but not all visits, by social workers in the last 12 months were within the regulatory time frame. Inspectors noted that regulatory time frames were being met in the latter half of the year. Records of visits to children reflected child-centred practice and it was clear that children were listened to and had opportunities to share their views, wishes and concerns with their social workers. The majority of records as required by the regulations were on files reviewed, but minor gaps were identified on some files. 



Care plans reviewed were up to date and of good quality. Care plans identified the strengths, needs and required supports for children in the service area. Children were encouraged to participate in the creation of the care plans and their views were clearly recorded. The inspection found that child-in-care reviews took place within or very close to the legally defined time frame, and reasons for any delays were documented and did not impact on the child’s safety. 



The inspection found that there was evidence of good practice of the supports to be provided to the child from other services and professional collaboration which supported the planning and delivery of care to children. 



Read the report and action plan at the link below.