The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published an inspection report on the foster care service operated by the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) in the Mayo service area.

HIQA is authorised by the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth under Section 69 of the Child Care Act, 1991, as amended by Section 26 of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2011, to inspect foster care services provided by Tusla and to report on its findings to the Minister, and to inspect services taking care of a child on behalf of Tusla, including non-statutory providers of foster care. HIQA monitors foster care services against the 2003 National Standards for Foster Care.

This inspection report, which is part of a thematic inspection programme, is primarily focused on assessing the efficacy of governance arrangements across foster care services and the impact these arrangements have for children in receipt of foster care. The thematic programme is the third and final phase of a three-phased schedule of inspection programmes monitoring foster care services.

HIQA conducted a thematic inspection of the foster care service in Mayo in May 2021. Of the seven standards assessed, one was compliant, and six were substantially compliant. The service area did not have any children placed in private foster care, therefore this standard could not be assessed.

Overall, children in care received a child-centred service which took account of their lived experiences and valued their voices. Children were encouraged and supported to participate in decisions about their care. They were placed with foster carers who provided a safe and caring home for them. 

Governance and management arrangements in place were effective, and ensured accountability for the delivery of a safe service that was consistent and appropriate to children’s needs. The alternative care service was child centred, well led, organised, managed and adequately staffed so as to ensure a quality service to children in care and service planning was of good quality. 

The culture and provision of the service was informed by the voice of children and their experiences in foster care. The service ensured that children were placed locally. External professionals reported strong joint working with all front-line teams to manage risk and improve outcomes for children. There was ongoing liaison with other agencies and community-based services. 

The area had completed a foster care needs analysis to inform local recruitment and retention strategies to ensure a wide range of appropriate foster placement options. There was a need for additional placements for children with specific needs; such as teenagers, children aged 0–3 years and children from the Traveller community.

The foster care committee (FCC) was well governed, had good oversight of the activities relevant to its function and its membership was in accordance with Tusla’s national policy. An open and transparent appeals process was also in place. The committee’s work was underpinned by a comprehensive annual report and service plan that had been informed by the committee’s activities and learning over the previous year. All committee members had up-to-date An Garda Síochána (police) vetting, however, four of the members’ records did not contain evidence of induction.

Operational risks were proactively addressed and reviewed and all required reports were escalated appropriately. The area routinely collected and used information to enhance the quality of care and the service’s performance. Tusla’s National Child in Care Information System (NCCIS) was used to monitor service provision and gather appropriate data to support service planning and delivery. Information was routinely audited with management and staff and used to enhance the quality of care and service performance. 

Young people were generally positive about their care experience. They were aware of their rights and external advocates reported an open culture, where children’s rights and advocacy were strongly promoted. They said that staff were respectful of children’s views and wishes in meetings and were responsive to their needs in order to maximise the participation of young people.

Foster carers generally felt supported by their link workers and overall were happy with the service. Parents had mixed views of the foster care service. While some reported that their children were well cared for and were happy in their placements, others felt left out or not informed of decisions made about their children. The area had a good system in place for the oversight and management of representations and complaints and these were dealt with in line with Tusla’s national complaints policy.

Improvements were required to address delays and waiting lists for access to specialist support, such as play therapy, occupational therapy and supported lodgings and placements for children from the Traveller community. Improvements were also required to ensure safe recruitment practices. While the majority of staff files contained the required recruitment documentation, there were gaps in documentation on six files in respect to copies of qualifications and references.