HSE centre for teens ‘not fit for purpose’

A HSE residential centre in the south for troubled teenagers has been described as “shabby” and “not fit for purpose” by inspectors.

A report carried out by the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) found the children were living in a bungalow where the heating system was broken, there were holes in the walls, and chairs and cupboards were broken.

The inspection of the un-named home in the HSE South area took place over two days in April of this year.

The report found:

* The teenagers, two aged 15 and one aged 14 who had been attending school intermittently before being admitted to the centre — were no longer attending school and had not attended school in the previous eight months;

* Morale of staff at the centre “was very low”;

* Staff struggled to provide basic care to the young people because of the inability to manage their behaviour;

* Gardaí often had to be called at night to control the teenagers.

The inspectors also found that there was no recreational activity room for the young people.

The only recreational facility available in the centre was a sitting room with a television.

The inspectors also observed that both of the centre’s vehicles “had significant damage to their roofs and doors.

Inspectors were informed that this had been caused by the young people jumping on them and kicking them”.

The inspectors found that staff “were particularly stressed and there was a high level of anxiety in dealing with the young people. Several staff were out on extended sick leave and in the majority of cases, the sick leave was work related.”

On the inspectors’ arrival at the centre, the HSE presented them with an action plan that would relocate the service to an alternative site to allow renovation work be completed; to develop an educational programme for the teen-agers; to review the purpose and function of the centre; and to arrange a comprehensive review of the young persons’ needs and a comprehensive review of all residential child care services in the area.

The inspectors acknowledged the proposed plan but “had a concern that the timing of this coincided with the announcement of the inspection”.

As a result of the shortcomings at the centre, the Hiqa inspectors have outlined 23 separate recommendations for the HSE to carry out.

The chief executive of Barnardos, Fergus Finlay, said the report demonstrates yet again the need for reform of child welfare and protection services.

Mr Finlay said “it is essential that the HSE respond to Hiqa’s inspection report by improving the care provided in this centre as a matter of urgency”.

The regional manager with the ISPCC, Catherine O’Donoghue, urged the HSE “to act immediately on the concerns and recommendations of Hiqa”.