A report published by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) into an independent private provider of foster care, has found that children's rights there were now being promoted at every level of the service.
Placements with Orchard Fostering Service, which was set up in 2008, are commissioned by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.
The report found children there were supported in expressing their views which were explored and made central to decision making.
Orchard Fostering provides foster care and supported lodgings to a wide range of children, from young babies to teenagers up to the age of 18, with a variety of different needs.
At the time of the inspection in March this year there were 79 foster care households.
The inspection found that seven out of eight national standards at the fostering service were compliant, whilst one was substantially compliant.
It followed an earlier inspection in 2021, which resulted in a compliance plan being drawn up, after reviews of foster carers were found not to have been taking place as required, in line with national standards.
The main area for improvement following the March inspection, was around matching carers with children, with inspectors finding records relating to this could have been improved with more details and analysis around the suitability of a match.
effective management and governance systems in place
Safeguarding arrangements, including updated garda vetting for foster carers, is required every three years, and the 2021 inspection also found this was not completed in line with policy, in all cases.
However, the HIQA report found there were robust systems in place to promote the safety and welfare of children, including the management of safeguarding concerns.
High levels of support were also given to foster carers who each had a link worker allocated to them.
The report stated: "The service was committed to the retention of foster carers.
"There was a defined strategy for recruiting foster carers and applications from prospective foster carers were promptly responded to.
"The service demonstrated a willingness to learn from feedback provided by children, carers and other services."
Orchard Fostering was also found to have effective management and governance systems in place.
HIQA says the continued monitoring of such services: "plays an important role in driving continuous improvement so that children have better, safer lives."
