New standards for children’s centres announced

New guidelines to ensure a consistent level of care is maintained at children’s residential centres across the State were launched today.

Children who are in residential care deserve the best care possible as their needs are complex and varied. Ms Mary Hanafin

The "National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres" come in the wake of a social services inspectorate that found considerable inequalities in level of care at many children’s homes.

Speaking at a conference on residential care in Waterford, the Minister for State at the Department of Health and Children, Ms Mary Hanafin, said: "Children who are in residential care deserve the best care possible as their needs are complex and varied. It is vital that their physical, emotional, psychological and social needs are met in a safe, loving and understanding environment".

Ms Mary Hanafin

Ms Hanafin said: "These new standards are based on relevant legislation, regulation and current professional understanding of what constitutes good quality service".

"They will be applied to residential centres in both the voluntary and statutory sector," she said.

The standards claim to cover all areas affecting the life of the child including their rights, care planning for the child, the care of young people, protecting and safeguarding them, and their health and education.