A designated centre for children with disabilities in Co Monaghan was found to be non-compliant in five areas during a recent unannounced HIQA inspection.
Lakeview House, which is a seven day full time residential community house that provides a home for three children/young adults with an intellectual disability, autistic spectrum and acquired brain injury and may also have mental health difficulties and behaviours of concern was subject to an inspection on the 3rd of May.
While the inspectors found that the overall wishes and choices of residents were respected and supported, the centre was non-compliant regarding governance and management, with "inadequate systems in place for managerial oversight of this centre."
The centre was also deemed non-compliant regarding staff, as it "did not have a full complement of permanent staff and as a result there was a heavy reliance on relief staff and agency staff, not all of which were known to the residents."
In addition to staffing issues, the centre was also found to be non-compliant in the training and development of its staff.
For example, inspectors could not verify if all staff had received training in fire safety, trainings related to infection, prevention and control, and management of behaviour that is challenging including de-escalation and intervention techniques.
Elsewhere, the centre was found to be non-compliant in relation to general welfare and development as none of the residents attended school.
It was also found that the centre was non-compliant in relation to protection, after an inspector observed that a restrictive practice in place for residents' safety was not being adhered to.
For example, one resident with the potential for self-injurious behaviour was observed to spend long periods of the day in their room.
A compliance plan has since been put in place to become compliant in these areas.
