The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published an inspection report on Oberstown Children Detention Campus. 

HIQA is authorised by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs under section 185 of the Children Act 2001, as amended, to monitor Oberstown Children Detention Campus and provide advice to the Minister. HIQA inspects Oberstown Children Detention Campus to ensure that the wellbeing, welfare and safety of children is promoted and protected, and to measure their compliance with the Standards & Criteria for Children Detention Schools (2004) and its implementation of Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2011).

An announced inspection was carried out on Oberstown Children Detention Campus across four days from 27 to 30 March 2017. All 10 standards were assessed as part of this process, with two standards found to be compliant, six standards moderate non-compliance, and two standards at the level of major non-compliance.

The campus has undergone a number of significant changes since the previous HIQA inspection, including new governance arrangements, increased workforce and an electronic system of recording and managing information.

Children were given information about their rights, they were consulted and given choices. The educational needs of children were assessed and met. They were listened to and their complaints were taken seriously, but the complaints process was not sufficiently robust. While there were measures in place to safeguard children, not all staff had training in Children First (2011). 

Inspectors found there continued to be a number of instances of children spending prolonged periods of time in single separation for the management of behaviour that challenges. However, there was a lack of robust management oversight in the monitoring of these incidents. The overall approach to the management of behaviour was subject to review at the time of inspection.

HIQA found that while the overall provision of healthcare on the campus had improved, inspectors identified two serious risks in regard to medicines management. An immediate action plan was issued in relation to safeguarding a child in relation to the safe administration of a prescribed medicine, and ensuring that measures were in place to store medicines securely. The campus director provided written assurance that the concerns were addressed.

Oberstown Children Detention Campus has provided an action plan response to address the non-compliances identified on inspection.