The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published its first overview report of inspections of foster and children’s residential services.

In its analysis, HIQA reviewed the finding of reports of 33 full inspections that it carried out in 2012 of children’s residential centres run by the Health Service Executive (HSE) for vulnerable children, mostly aged between 12 and 18 years, and HIQA inspection reports of eight HSE foster care services in the same period. 

Phelim Quinn, Director of Regulation with HIQA, stated: “In foster care services, inspectors found examples of high quality social work practice which supported the safety of children and improved their lives. Inspectors also found that the healthcare provided to children and their attendance at school improved. In their daily lives, children’s choices were considered and their dignity and privacy were respected. However, these improvements in their lives were dependent upon the quality of foster carers who were not always adequately supported or monitored.”

In addition, the Authority found that in 2012 some children did not have social workers and some children lived with unapproved foster carers. The Authority also noted with concern the lack of urgency given to some investigations by the HSE of allegations made against foster carers. In a number of the areas inspected, there were also insufficient numbers of foster carers, while staff shortages had impacted on the HSE’s capacity to deliver a safe high quality fostering service.

Phelim Quinn continued, “In some instances foster carers were offered very little training in dealing with vulnerable children with extremely challenging behaviour. Although recruiting more foster carers will mitigate threats to the stability of foster care placements, ongoing needs assessment of children and young people who are at risk of coming into care should inform any recruitment process.”

Overall in the majority of cases, services for children in the 33 residential centres inspected by the Authority in 2012 were safe. HIQA found evidence of dedicated and committed staff, who were appropriately qualified and whose intervention led to many improvements in the lives of children and young people who use the services. However, HIQA inspectors noted that many improvements in the service were still required. The system was found to be under significant pressure and in some instances these pressures were placing children at risk. Not all staff had up-to-date Garda Síochána vetting, staff had difficulty with responding to some children’s behaviour, while the relevant requirement on children being absent from the centre without permission was met in only 61% of inspection reports.

Phelim Quinn concluded: “The findings of HIQA’s inspections of residential services for children in 2012 demonstrated many areas of good practice and also highlighted where services need to improve. In order to meet the needs of children and young people requiring residential care, a proactive national strategy is now required by the HSE National Office for Children and Family Services to support a responsive, flexible, localised service informed by the assessed needs of children and young people.”

Ends.

Further Information: 

Marty Whelan, Head of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement, Health Information and Quality Authority, 086 2447 623, mwhelan@hiqa.ie

Notes to the Editor: 

The Health Information and Quality Authority derives its mandate from, and undertakes its functions in accordance with, the Health Act 2007 and other relevant legislation (the Child Care Act, 1991 and the Children Act, 2001).

The Health Act 2007 places the social services inspectorate function within the Authority on a statutory basis as the Office of the Chief Inspector of Social Services with specific statutory functions. The legislation makes provision for the inspection and registration of designated centres for older people and children, and people with disabilities including children, and also the inspection of child protection and welfare services.

Inspectors conduct inspections of children’s residential centres provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE) under the Child Care Act, 1991 as amended by the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2011. Special care units are inspected annually against the Child Care (Special Care) Regulations 2004 and the National Standards for Special Care (2001). The Authority is authorised by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs under the Child Care Act, 1991 to inspect residential centres and report to the Minister on its findings.