Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

529. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to concerns regarding the treatment of children at a unit (details supplied) in which HIQA recently noted a large number of significant events had taken place from January to June 2018 at the centre, including incidents of violence and aggression; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48935/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I can inform the Deputy that a copy of all HIQA inspection reports conducted in relation to children's services are provided to me in advance of publication. This includes inspections of children's Special Care Units.

The HIQA inspection reports of Special Care Units show that the children who are detained by order of the High Court, for their own  safety, are well cared for and that there are good relationships between children, carers, and families.  The benefit of  special care is made absolutely clear by a statement that one of the children made to the inspectors to the effect that it had saved their life. 

It is a fact that children are detained for their safety in order to provide the care they need.  It is used only where a young person's behaviour poses a real and substantial risk of harm to their life, health, safety, development or welfare. 

New regulations were put in place earlier this year.  These place special care on a full statutory footing for the first time.  The legislation sets a clear time limited and short term period for the use of special care.

Staff working in special care are trained in a range of behaviour management techniques and in de-escalation. As far as possible, staff use the least restrictive practices they can to keep the children safe.  However, situations can arise where there is a risk of significant harm to self or to others and, in line with policy, may need the assistance of the Gardaí.  

The inspection report to which the Deputy refers includes a Compliance Plan, which was developed by the unit and provided to HIQA. The Plan lays out the actions that will be taken by the unit, its staff or management to address identified areas of non-compliance. I can confirm that the Compliance Plan developed as part of the inspection process included measures to improve the management of challenging or aggressive behaviour, and to reinforce positive behaviours. The plan included a commitment to review all future incidents of aggressive behaviour at staff meetings, and to identify learnings from each incident.