A number of unacceptable practices have been uncovered at a children's residential centre run by the Midland Health Board in Co Westmeath.
Oakville children's residential centre, one of six run by the health board, did not have care plans for two of its children, it relied heavily on relief staff, staff were not offered formal supervision, fire drills had not taken place and it did not have a safety statement, when inspected earlier this year.
The difficulties are chronicled in a detailed report compiled by the Irish Social Services Inspectorate following its inspection of the unit in May.
It said the unit did not provide a comfortable and homely environment and was in urgent need of redecoration.
It recommended the unit's complaints procedure be reviewed, that the centre's purpose be clarified, that a policy on emergency admissions be devised and that permanent staff be appointed as soon as possible.
Oakville was opened in October 1998 to provide high-support care for one young person under a High Court order. In all, five young people have been detained in the unit by order of the High Court but by the end of January this year, all these young people had been discharged. Since then the centre has operated as an open unit and has provided for respite and emergency admissions.
"Oakville has experienced a high turnover of staff both when it detained young people and since operating as an open unit," the report said.
"The inspectors reviewed the staff rota for one week and found provision for 29 different relief staff. This situation is totally unacceptable. Young people in children's residential centres require stability and consistency of care," it added.
It noted however that applications for full-time staff were being processed and it urged the health board to complete this process as soon as possible.
It also found the kitchen door automatically locked when it was closed, furnishings were sparse, walls required painting, and the bathroom door could not be shut properly or locked, which inspectors found "unacceptable".
The health board was however commended for providing in-service training for staff, and staff were praised for encouraging the talents of young people in their care.
The staff, the report said, were committed to providing a high quality of care for the young people.
A spokeswoman for the health board, Ms Dymphna Bracken, said yesterday that many of the issues raised had already been addressed.
She said the board would ensure written care plans were devised for all young people. "Social work teams are currently seriously hampered by the number of unfilled social work posts. However, the necessity for care planning and care reviewing is fully acknowledged."
She confirmed eight new staff had been recruited to the unit and two more would be employed shortly. A health and safety statement is also being developed, she confirmed. She added that procedures had also been put in place to ensure emergency admissions were properly handled.