The Health Information and Quality Authority recognises the importance of increasing the quality and safety of care for all children, especially children who are particularly vulnerable and are living away from their families. These Draft national standards for special care units have been developed to ensure that children living away from home are provided with safe, high quality services.

These Draft national standards for special care units apply to special care provided to children under the Health Act 2007 and the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2011. These Standards will supersede the National Standards for Special Care Units (2001) developed by the Department of Health and Children.