Watchdog cites HSE child residential unit for ‘time away’ policy

A children’s residential unit run by the HSE in the Munster area has been criticised over the practices used to manage challenging behaviour of young people in its care.

The latest inspection report on the centre by officials from the Health Information and Quality Authority expressed concern about the use of a “time away” approach to manage unruly behaviour.

The practice involves allowing a child to take time out of their standard routine to reflect on an issue. However, the centre invoked the procedure to place children in “single separation”.