10/05/2013

HIQA Publishes First Child Protection And Welfare Services Report

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published its first report under the Authority's new inspection regime aimed at strengthening and improving Ireland’s child protection and welfare services.

Phelim Quinn, Director of Regulation with HIQA, said: "The commencement by HIQA of the monitoring and inspecting of children and family services is a significant milestone in providing assurance to children, families and the public on the quality and safety of child protection and welfare services. For the first time in Ireland the State's child protection and welfare function is subject to an independent oversight process.

"HIQA is inspecting HSE Children and Family Services to measure its compliance with the National Standards for the Protection and Welfare of Children. The Authority is also assessing the implementation by the HSE of Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2011). The Authority will report on its findings publicly and, as part of this process, we hope to promote improvements in these services."

The first inspection report published by HIQA is of the HSE Child Protection and Welfare Service in Carlow/Kilkenny. This report is the first in a series of reports into Ireland’s child protection and welfare services that will be published by Authority.

Phelim Quinn continued: "While finding that services provided to children were safe overall, there were a range of non-compliance issues identified during the inspection process. It is essential that the national service learns from the outcomes of this inspection and takes all steps possible to deliver protection and support for vulnerable children."

(CD)

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