Childcare staff not properly vetted
One of the centres, run by the Southern Health Board and located in the Cork area, was criticised in a Social Services Inspectorate (SSI) report because “garda clearances and references had not been obtained prior to the commencement of employment of some of the staff team”.
A second centre in Dublin North Central, run by the Northern Area Health Board, was warned a number of areas needed to be addressed, including “ensuring staff are properly vetted with three references”. The same centre was told it needed to improve the standard of supervision and undertake an audit of staff training needs.
The SSI report also called for a review of administrative and recording systems, redecoration of the centre and replacement of worn furniture and fittings, and completion of a new health and safety audit to be carried out by Eastern Health Shared Services (EHSS).
Poor vetting procedures for staff working with children in care have long been criticised by the Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC).
Inspectors who examined the Dublin centre, which houses six girls aged 10-19 and 25 staff, said they “were concerned about a number of issues external to the centre management but crucial to the wellbeing of the young people”.
“There were gaps in statutory care planning, statutory care plan reviews and visiting of young people by social workers. This had serious implications for leaving care plans for the girls, in particular for one with a learning disability. ”
The inspectors were critical of failure to follow proper child protection procedures.
Despite the deficiencies, the SSI inspectors said they were generally impressed by the standard of care at the centre because they found “a nurturing, caring environment that allowed the young people to seek out and develop their own unique potential”.
The inspectors of the Cork centre, which cares for three young people aged 13-17 and has 17 staff, were also impressed by the effectiveness of its staff and the positive response of the young people at the centre. Last night the NAHB said all staff at its centre were vetted and had garda clearance. An SHB spokesperson said staff awaiting vetting were sometimes used in emergency situations in order to keep a unit open.
