The Health Information and Quality Authority found a number of young people with disabilities were living in a highly restrictive environment when inspectors visited earlier this year.
The findings are contained in an inspection report, which is one of 26 published by HIQA on designated centres for people with disabilities.
Four young people - aged between 12 and 17 - were accommodated at the centre at the time of the inspection.
Two residents had not received formal education in the previous year, and it was discovered that formal school applications had only been made in June 2024 for both.
The two young people had individual education plans; however, the plans were not dated and there was no evidence of review.
Inspectors also found that the information in the plans was similar - in spite of the significant age differences and educational needs of the young people.
One hour of education support was allocated to each young person per week, but staff who inspectors spoke to, did not follow any specific education programme.
One of the individuals who was not attending school did not have access to or interactions with other young people their own age.
Staff confirmed that the young person liked to watch other young people play but they did not engage or play with other young people when in the community or in the designated centre.
The young people who used the service were assessed as requiring high levels of staffing support in response to their behavioural, safety and social care needs.
The reason HIQA inspectors visited the centre was due to "an incident" two months previously, during which, "a significant and serious incident involving a young adult had occurred".
It was clear, according to the report, that the provider had taken the incident "extremely seriously".
Although action had been taken to safeguard the resident, a recommendation from the critical incident review had not been implemented as stated.
One recommendation stated that a list of suitable outdoor areas should be in place for the resident and that these areas be risk assessed to minimise the likelihood of an incident of this nature occurring again, however, this had not been fully implemented.
Restrictive practices were evident in the centre, some of which, inspectors felt were unwarranted.
All access to the doors into the various apartments of the young people had key codes.
While they had access to get in, they could only exit with the assistance of staff.
"In two apartments it was unclear what justification could be made to have this system in place, the young people always had two staff with them and in one of the apartments the door exited onto a secure yard area," the report states.
All TV units in the various apartments were behind wooden boxes.
Inspectors accepted the reasoning behind the restriction in two of the apartments but found it difficult to understand the restriction in another apartment.
A bathroom assigned to one of the young people living at the centre was "completely empty".
Inspectors noted no personal belongings. There was no towel or toilet tissue.
The provider gave assurances that the young person did have full access to all their belongings and confirmed there were no restrictions in place.
HIQA did note some positives at the centre.
The report states it had "a bright and vibrant feel" and the young people who met the inspectors were "relaxed, and in good spirits".
"It was clear that the person in charge, senior staff and staff on duty were committed to a good quality service," according to the report.
Examples of good practice were also noted in a number of other centres in reports published by HIQA.
At another centre in the midlands, one resident, who was a keen gardener, brought the inspector to the garden and explained how they took care of the flowers, plants and edible produce.
At a third centre, staff adapted written procedures, as well as social stories, with photographs to meet residents’ communication needs.
In total, non-compliances that impacted on the delivery of care and support to residents were identified in 13 of the 26 reports.
