A CHILD RESIDENTIAL centre in Dublin, which cared for five children over the past year, recorded 386 significant incidents, including an attempt to set the centre on fire.
That’s according to the findings of an inspection from officials at the Health Information and Quality Authority, Hiqa.
It found that staff were overwhelmed by the violent and aggressive behaviour of some residents, with up to five children damaging property, injuring themselves, going missing from care and engaging in substance misuse.
The report stated that gardaí were often called to the centre as a result of property damage.
The unnamed centre, which is managed by Tusla, is based in a three-storey house in a quiet housing estate.
It provides places for both males and females aged 12-18. At the time of the unannounced inspection in August, two children were living in the centre.
Inappropriate relationships
Inappropriate relationships between the children were a reoccurring difficulty and happened on two separate occasions in recent months, prior to the inspection.
Staffing levels were increased to manage this, with a waking night staff to observe at all times. Alarms were also fitted on the doors of the children’s bedrooms which alerted staff at night if the children left the room.
The report also found that there was ‘a large amount’ of incidents of self harm and that the staff were not adequately trained to deal with this. The report stated:
There was a large amount of incidents of self-harm in the centre, but staff were not adequately trained. A limited number of staff had completed training in mental health or specific self-harm training.
One child was transported in a taxi so staff could sit either side of the child to ensure
the child’s safety while travelling.
Parents interviewed as part of the inspection said they did not feel their children were safe in the centre.
The centre did not meet any of the eight standards tested in the inspection, with ‘significant risks’ identified in four areas.
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