Ms Carol Grogan:

The Health Act sets out my powers, which are to register and inspect designated centres. Centres for people with a disability constitute one type of designated centre. I must assess compliance with the standards and regulations. It does extend to public, private and voluntary services so there is no distinction. The Act is very clear that it applies to all sectors. My colleague, Mr. Colfer, can give the committee some detail around the numbers relating to that.

We conduct announced and unannounced inspections. Announced inspections are announced four weeks in advance. This is really to give residents and their families opportunities to make arrangements to meet with us if they so wish so we feel this is also an important aspect. During Covid, we had to slightly adjust our approach to announce more inspections to ensure we could safely inspect services and not put residents at risk as a result of the inspections. However, so far this year, only 8% of our 325 inspections have been announced so we are reverting to the majority of inspections being unannounced.

The regulations require that providers notify us of any suspicion or allegation of abuse. However, we did take a very proactive approach while on inspection. To ensure safeguarding is appropriate, we need to hear from the people living in the centres, find out from them whether their rights are being upheld, whether they are being supported to make those rights real and whether they feel the care and support they get are dignified and respectful to them. That is a key focus. We also follow up on any allegations of safeguarding concerns, which we take really seriously. I will hand over to Mr. Colfer, who might outline some of the actions we take.