87 instances of restraint or intervention used at children's residential centre

The Hiqa report records that family members of children in the residential centre praised staff, but said they were worried about children’s safety and wellbeing given tensions and conflict among residents. 

There were 87 instances of some form of restraint or intervention being used to deal with children at a residential centre over a nine-month period, with inspectors saying the measures were "proportionate to the complex behaviours of specific children".

The centre, which was not named in an inspection report issued by Hiqa, had four children living there last November, with the health watchdog outlining how the residents, their families and social workers and legal representatives had all voiced concerns at the "escalating" situation.