The health watchdog has raised concerns around Garda vetting and safeguarding within a local foster care service. A HIQA report released today found two non-compliances at the Sligo Leitrim and West Cavan service. HIQA today published two inspection reports on the services operated by the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) in the Donegal and Sligo, Leitrim and West Cavan service areas. Inspections were carried out in the Sligo Leitrim West Cavan area in February of this year. At the time of the inspection, the child protection team had responsibility for 20 children in care cases. Inspectors found staffing structures within the service were effective and there was good communication and co-working between the children in care, fostering and the child protection teams. While inspectors found that overall the service ensured the rights of children were respected and promoted, it found it was non-compliant in two of six standards assessed.
According to the report, the service was substantially compliant when it came to matching foster parents with children and the recruitment of retention of foster carers. It was also found compliant in its assessment of children and young people as well as Children's Rights. However, two non-compliances were found in respect to Garda vetting and the systems in place to safeguard children. Inspectors said that significant improvements were required when it came to ensuring children were protected from abuse. The report also found that An Garda Síochana vetting renewals for foster carers and adult children of foster carers required improved monitoring, oversight and governance. Inspectors were informed of two foster carers who required updated Garda vetting.
Inspectors also found evidence of gaps in international police clearances being updated for one adult, who was an approved family respite carer. The report said the response received from the interim area manager was deemed satisfactory and demonstrated improved structures and systems in place to manage the identified risks. In addition, not all foster carers had up-to-date Children First training while some carers told inspectors they were unclear about the process of reporting disclosures through the Tusla portal. Inspectors said improvements were also required in the tracking and management of children awaiting approval of their long-term placements with foster carers. Following the inspection, urgent compliance plans were requested in relation to safeguarding and child protection as well as the management and monitoring of the service. A number of steps have been completed in relation to this.
