HIQA concerned for safety and quality of children’s services in Ireland

Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has expressed concern about inconsistencies in the safety and quality of children’s services nationally.

The authority today published an overview of its regulatory activity for children’s services during 2014.

HIQA said national and local management systems may not be adequate in providing assurance on consistently safe, good quality services.

As a result, the authority will commence a national review of governance of the Child and Family Agency in 2015.

However, it also found that during 2014 there was some evidence of improving services and good practice in children’s social care.

Commenting on the report, Fred McBride, Tusla Chief Operations Officer said that when Tusla took responsibility for child protection services in January 2014, significant challenges were identified, particularly in relation to inconsistencies in service provision across the country.

"Tusla is committed to ensuring that all children receive the same high standard of service regardless of geography and to building on the many examples of good practice highlighted in HIQA’s Annual Report," said Mr McBride.

“Tusla has already conducted a detailed review of its governance structures and has consulted staff and stakeholders in relation to this. The process has identified a number of quality issues which will be addressed in a revised Tusla governance structure which is currently being finalised," he said.

"The Agency anticipates that this will lead to more robust governance and improve Tusla’s capacity to deliver high quality services. Tusla expects that any review conducted by HIQA would be cognisant of these developments.”