Safeguarding concerns found at Mosney Village IPAS centre
Seventeen concerns of a child safeguarding nature that occurred in the Mosney Village IPAS Centre had not been notified to the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), a recent inspection found.
Inspectors noted the provider had limited awareness of the requirement to submit such notifications to HIQA and in the case of other notifiable incidents, had appropriately notified the inspecting body.
“Where concerns relating to child safeguarding had been identified, appropriate referrals had been made to Tusla by the centre as required by national policy, there was an absence of safeguarding plans or risks assessments for these children,” according to the report.
“As a result, the provider could not be fully assured that the potential for recurring risks in this area was identified and being managed. Furthermore, improvements were required in tracking and documenting incidents, and the frequency of welfare checks conducted by centre staff, which were used as control measures for some resident related risks.
“Confirming whether a referral to Tusla had been made, or whether additional supports were required, was essential for ensuring accurate and relevant information about such incidents.”
The inspection of the Mosney Village IPAS Centre by HIQA last September found residents experienced a good-quality life but there were areas which required improvement including ensuring the diverse needs of residents were responded to.
Inspectors found that the facility to be compliant in 11 of required standards of inspections, substantially compliant in eight categories, partially compliant in 11 and non compliant in one.
The inspection of the centre took place on 9th, 10th and 17th September last and during this time, the inspectors met or spoke with 44 adult residents and 16 children in focus group discussions and direct conversations.
In addition, 10 resident questionnaires were completed by residents and returned to the inspectors. The inspectors also spoke or met with the managers and staff of the centre. They also separately held a focus group discussion with five staff members from statutory and non-statutory services based in the centre.
The inspectors found that residents at Mosney Village were provided with safe and comfortable accommodation that supported their independence and autonomy.
The service provider had invested significantly in the centre’s facilities, and a range of external supports were available on site for residents.
According to the report; “The staff team endeavoured to support residents but the approach was not always person-centred, and the use of some restrictive practices combined with ineffective methods of communication and consultation with residents led to varied, and in some instances, mixed experiences, by some residents.”
“The service provider had not implemented effective systems for the oversight and monitoring of the quality of care and experience of residents living in the centre. Audits, service improvement plans or an annual review of the service had not been completed in the context of the quality and care and experience of residents. In addition, the process for reviewing and learning from incidents that occurred in the centre required further development,” according to the report.
“Overall, residents experienced a good-quality life within the centre and they reported feeling safe living there. “The accommodation provided was of a high standard and the provider was proactive in ensuring residents had easy access to community-based supports.”