The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has released a critical inspection report on a children’s residential centre operated by the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) in its Dublin North East region. Conducted as an unannounced routine inspection in January 2024, the evaluation aimed to monitor service quality and compliance with the National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres.
The inspection specifically focused on the centre’s leadership, governance, and management, and assessed whether the children received high-quality, child-centred, and safe care that met their individual needs. Out of 14 national standards assessed, the service was found compliant with four, substantially compliant with five, and not compliant with five. The service was noted for its child-centred approach, ensuring that young people received care that protected their rights and respected their diversity.
Young people were actively listened to, supported in understanding and exercising their rights, and given choices about their care. The staff showed sensitivity to the trauma that young people might have experienced, including the challenges faced by those seeking international protection. However, a major issue identified was that not all young people had care plans. This gap meant the provider could not ensure that each young person was being provided with individualized care and support based on their specific needs.
Governance and Resourcing Deficiencies
The inspection highlighted that the governance arrangements in the centre needed significant strengthening to ensure effective oversight. The resourcing of the service was not robust, with half of the social care worker positions vacant, leading to a heavy reliance on agency staff. Furthermore, staff were not supervised in accordance with Tusla’s supervision policy, and agency staff did not receive any supervision in their roles.
The inspection revealed that improvements were necessary in communication systems, quality assurance mechanisms, workforce planning, and the implementation of policies and procedures to bring them in line with national standards. Additionally, safeguarding procedures, particularly concerning the identification of visitors and agency staff, required enhancement. In response to the inspection findings, the provider has submitted a comprehensive compliance plan aimed at addressing all areas of non-compliance. This plan is intended to guide the service toward meeting all required standards and ensuring better care for the children.
Background on HIQA’s Authority
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is authorized 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 the Child and Family Agency (Tusla). HIQA monitors Tusla’s performance against the National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres and provides advice to the Minister and Tusla based on its findings.
This inspection report underscores critical areas needing improvement in Tusla’s Dublin North East children’s residential centre. While the centre is praised for providing child-centred care, significant deficiencies in governance, staffing, and supervision need urgent attention. The compliance plan submitted by the provider aims to address these issues and ensure the centre meets the national standards, providing a safer and more supportive environment for the children. Ensuring that each child has a comprehensive care plan is crucial for delivering personalized and effective care.
The findings of this inspection call for immediate action to rectify the deficiencies in Tusla’s children’s residential centre. The highlighted governance and resourcing issues pose serious risks to the quality of care provided. By implementing the compliance plan and adhering to the national standards, Tusla can ensure that the centre provides a nurturing and safe environment for all children. This is a critical step toward improving children’s services and addressing the pressing needs identified in the HIQA report.
Resource: The Health Information and Quality Authority, July 24, 2024
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