The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published two inspection reports on children’s residential centres operated by the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) in its Dublin Mid Leinster and West North West regions.

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 Tusla. HIQA monitors Tusla’s performance against the National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres and advises the Minister and Tusla. 

HIQA conducted both unannounced inspections in January 2024. The focus of these inspections was on the leadership and management of the centres and how effective they were in ensuring that a good-quality and safe service was being provided to children. Additionally, the inspections focused on the care and support that children and young people received and how their rights were promoted and realised. 

In a centre in the Dublin Mid Leinster region, inspectors assessed 11 of the national standards and found that eight were compliant, two were substantially compliant and one was not compliant.

Inspectors found that the centre was warm, comfortable and nicely decorated. There were effective governance and management arrangements in place that promoted positive outcomes for the young people. Young people experienced care and support that encouraged positive behaviour, promoted their rights, and supported their educational and training needs. Their health and development needs were appropriately identified and addressed and their care records were kept up to date and securely maintained. There were appropriate numbers of staff employed who were effectively supervised and supported; however, formal appraisal of performance was not being undertaken.

Areas for improvement were identified including: the management of maintenance issues, aspects of fire safety practice and delays in reporting child protection concerns. 

In a centre in the West North West region, 12 standards were assessed, with 10 found to be compliant and two substantially compliant. 

The inspector found that the centre was homely and children’s rights were promoted and protected. The governance and management arrangements that were in place ensured that the care and support delivered to children was child-centred and effective. There were appropriate admissions procedures which ensured children were suitably placed. Children were safeguarded in the centre and there was a positive approach to the management of behaviours that challenged.  

Staff supported and facilitated children’s attendance at school and at training centres. Their care files were organised, accessible and securely stored. The centre had a full staff team who were effectively supervised and supported in delivering child-centred, safe and effective care; however, formal appraisal of performance was not being undertaken.

The inspector found that improvement was required in respect of keeping an accurate record of the duration of fire drills. 

Tusla submitted compliance plans to address identified gaps in compliance with the national standards. The inspection reports and compliance plans can be found at www.hiqa.ie.