HIQA report uncovers unsafe child support unit

A report carried out by Health and Information Quality Authority has found that a HSE support unit for children is unsafe for them to live in.

Serious health and safety risks have been uncovered by HIQA including a serious risk in relation to fire safety.

The report which was published on the back of numerous inspections has found that, although efforts have been made to improve the facility by management, all actions taken have not been appropriate.

The report of the High Risk support unit in the Dublin North East region comes on the back of numerous inspections which took place this year and last year.

The report highlights that although some improvements had been made and a programme of work undertaken since inspections in 2012, it was not sufficient to address the current serious risks to the health and welfare of children and young people living in the unit.

The report has found that appropriate governance arrangements to ensure the safety of children and young people in their care had not been properly implemented.

Despite all efforts to do so, the management team were found to have not responded in a timely manner to risks such as fire setting, bullying, self harming, assaults and absences without authority.

During further inspections which took place in July of this year serious fire safety concerns were raised and following the visit by HIQA four fires were reported at the the centre.

An action plan was issued to the care providers but their response was deemed inappropriate.