HIQA has found safeguarding issues at a number of disability centres run by the Brothers of Charity Services in Limerick.
In an inspection report, HIQA has said it was not informed that residents in one centre were described as being very scared, anxious, frightened, in need of reassurance, and on one occasion were woken during the night due to the behaviour of a peer.
The report published today says there was no direct action involving the implementation of safeguarding policies.
A staff member made a distinction that the peer in question would not physically attempt to hurt other residents while acknowledging that being frightened was difficult for them.
This according to HIQA indicates that "the culture of zero tolerance to abuse, promoted by the provider and outlined in their policy, was not fully embedded in the centre."
Despite those findings, inspectors found some aspects of the quality and safety of care provided "were of a good standard".
A review of documentation and the inspector's observations during a visit in November showed residents enjoyed living in the centre and their healthcare needs were well met.
In another designated disability centre in Limerick also run by the Brothers of Charity Services CLG, not all incidents of a safeguarding nature had been notified to HIQA as required.
The safeguarding policy indicated that a preliminary screening or investigation should be carried out for all allegations of abuse. However, inspectors found that screenings for some of the incidents had not been carried out.
"Overall, the nature of such incidents raised concerns around the suitability of involved residents to live together on an ongoing basis. This was something which was well known to the provider with similar concerns having been raised by a HIQA report carried out in March 2019 when the same group of residents were living
together in another designated centre operated by the provider.", it said.
The inspector found a trend of safeguarding notifications relating to these residents had been received during 2020 before they moved to their current home in November that year.
The report notes that there has been no incident since June 2021 according to the provider, however, HIQA has questioned the compatibility of the residents and their suitability to live together on an ongoing basis.
In a third centre run by the Brothers of Charity in Limerick, HIQA's inspection report notes that the centre's statement of purpose showed staffing in place on a 24-hour basis.
However, during the inspection it found that there were times during the day, including overnight, when five residents who lived in three different bungalows did not have staff available to support them in their homes.
That included two residents who lived together in a bungalow that was not subdivided.
HIQA said governance and management required improvement as it was not assured that the designated centre was appropriately resourced.
Dublin
In a Dublin based centre run by St Michael's House inspectors reviewed records related to residents' finances.
They found that the system in place to support residents in managing their money did not facilitate them to have ownership of their own finances.
In cases were residents received support from a third party outside of the organisation to manage their finances, it found that the arrangements "were not transparent and prevented residents from having ready access to their own money".
In one case a resident had less than €20 for more than five months, which significantly limited their ability to engage in leisure activities or buy personal items such as clothing or toiletries.
Staff in the centre ensured that the resident had a supply of all basic hygiene products and attempted to include the resident in activities they could afford, however the inspection report says it is concerning that the resident did not have access to their money or make choices about how they spent it.
HIQA said significant change was required to ensure that residents' rights in relation their personal possessions were upheld.
Inspection reports
Of the 35 inspection reports published today, inspectors found a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 11 centres, including in centres operated by Ability West, Autism Initiatives Ireland CLG, Avista CLG and other centres run by the Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG.
Residents in a centre in Galway operated by Ability West were supported to be independent, with one resident speaking about how they enjoyed working in a local health centre.
Residents also had good access to their local community and regularly met up with friends to do activities, such as going for lunch and bowling.
In Offaly, at a Centre operated by Avista CLG, residents were supported to take part in activities that they enjoyed, such as fitness classes, horse riding and mindfulness sessions.
Their rights were actively promoted and information on accessing advocacy services was clearly displayed in the centre according to HIQA.
In Kilkenny, residents in a Brothers of Charity Services CLG centre enjoyed decorating their home to their own tastes and chose the artwork and furniture.
Inspectors noted that the house was bright, colourful and modern as a result, and residents showed inspectors around with pride.
