Report criticises children's centre

Highly unsatisfactory staff vetting and supervision and insufficient care planning are among the findings of an inspection of a children's residential centre in Dublin.

The centre, in the Northern Area Health Board, but which cannot be named to protect the identities of the children, was subject to an unannounced inspection by the Social Services Inspectorate on March 4th, 5th and 6th.

The report says just one of the 10 members of staff hold a recognised qualification in residential care, while three others hold related qualifications. "The remaining six staff held no qualifications," the inspectors write.

They say Garda clearances were available for all staff.

"However, five of these were undated. Therefore, inspectors could not ascertain whether these were received prior- or post-employment. Of the remaining five Garda clearances, three were received prior to employment and two within a month of commencing employment."

No references were available for one of the staff and two had supplied two references. Three references are required per staff member and seven of the staff had supplied these. The report said "outstanding third references were now being sought" for the other three.

The report describes as "highly unsatisfactory" the fact that in five cases staff members' references were received after they were employed.

"Staff vetting is an important component of safeguarding children," the report authors write. "The inspectors urge that these deficits are rectified by the board immediately and that vetting procedures for all staff, irrespective of their employment status, are rigorously applied in the future."

Though staff said they had supervision from management "at irregular intervals . . . this does not replace the need for a programme of formal and regular supervision".

There was a care plan on file for just one young person at the centre. It showed evidence of consultation with staff but was "handwritten and was not signed or dated".

"There was no care plan in place" for the other residents, they say, and recommend that care plans are "devised for all the young people prior to or as soon as possible after placement".

The inspectors, however, said there was "evidence of a strong commitment to providing a quality service to the young people in its care".