Disability services publication statement 24 April 2023

Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 36 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 36 inspections, inspectors found a generally good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 17 centres operated by a number of providers including; Avista CLG, Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG, Cheeverstown House CLG, COPE Foundation, Embrace Community Services Ltd, Enable Ireland Disability Services Limited, Gateway Community Care Limited, Gheel Autism Services CLG, Health Service Executive (HSE), and KARE, Promoting Inclusion for People with Intellectual Disabilities.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

• At a centre in Galway operated by Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG, residents’ rights were promoted through the use of easy-to-read information relating to important issues such as staff support, infection control and how to make a complaints. A residents’ rights charter had been developed and residents were actively involved in decisions about their care through the personal planning process as well as the daily running of the centre through participation in house meetings.
• At a centre in Cork operated by COPE Foundation, residents enthusiastically spoke with the inspector about activities they enjoyed such as recently starting activities linked to social farming and their involvement in Special Olympics. Residents’ choices were actively supported with one resident choosing to decorate their bedroom red, due to their support of Liverpool Football Club.
• At a centre in Laois operated by the HSE, recent refurbishments to the premises and changes to care and support provided had occurred to better support the residents’ changing needs. An improved kitchen provided greater access for residents and daily activities and routines were very much directed by the residents themselves. Residents spoke with the inspector about opportunities they had had to recently visit family graves and plans they were making for their first ever holiday.
• At a centre in Kildare operated by KARE, Promoting Inclusion for People with Intellectual Disabilities, residents’ rights were actively promoted with one resident being part of the provider’s advocacy group and also recently working with the local council to create better disability access in their local community. Residents were also actively involved in making decisions about the daily running of the centre through their involvement in regular house meetings were residents rights was a regular discussion topic. 

Inspectors identified non-compliance with the regulations and standards on 19 inspections. 

Two reports identifying a high level of non-compliance have been published on centres operated by the COPE Foundation. Improvements were required across both centres in managing safeguarding incidents, staff training and development, notifying incidents to HIQA as required by regulation, staffing, residents’ personal plans and finances. At another COPE Foundation centre, non-compliance was identified in residents’ personal plans and access to activities. Due to a trend of non-compliance across a range of their centres, COPE Foundation have been required to undertake a six month governance improvement programme across their centres and the Chief Inspector of Social Services is undertaking an escalated regulatory programme to verify the effectiveness of the provider’s actions in achieving improvements in the quality of care and support for residents. 

Four reports have been published on centres operated by Ability West. Improvements were required across these centres in managing safeguarding incidents which impacted residents’ quality of life, staffing, fire safety, suitability of the premises, and the management of risks. Due to concerns about the effectiveness of their oversight arrangements across their centres, Ability West have also been required to implement a governance improvement programme and the Chief Inspector is undertaking an escalated regulatory programme to verify whether the actions of the provider are resulting in improvements in the quality of support and care for residents. 

A centre operated by Dundas Unlimited Company required improvements in managing complaints, fire safety, premises, and personal planning.

Three reports identifying non-compliance have been published on centres operated by Avista CLG. Improvements were required in different areas such as staffing, premises, notifying incidents to HIQA, measures to protect against infection and residents’ living arrangements.

Two HSE centres required improvements in staff training and governance. A centre operated by KARE, Promoting Inclusion for People with Intellectual Disabilities, required improvements in fire safety measures and arrangements for managing complaints.

Two centres operated by Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG required improvements in areas such as managing risks, safeguarding measures and notifying incidents to HIQA.

Finally, improvements in training and staff development were needed at a centre operated by Cheeverstown House CLG, in fire safety at a centre operated by Lorrequer House, and staffing at a Kerry Parents and Friends Association centre.

Read all reports at the link below.