IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 3rd March 2015
HIQA publishes National Standards for Special Care Units
EPIC welcomes the publication by HIQA today of the National Standards for Special Care Units. Special care is a residential facility for children who are detained as an option of last resort and should provide a short term, secure, therapeutic, focused care, for a young person who is a danger to him or herself.
Jennifer Gargan, Director of EPIC commented:
“The publication and roll out of these standards will help ensure that special care units are providing high quality, safe and effective services and supports to young people, and are very much standards that we hope staff will be supported and trained to aspire to.”
Each child in a special care unit should experience effective care and support, develop social and life skills, and should receive the necessary behavioural supports they require. Special care intervention must provide therapeutic value to the young person. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, and young people in special care do not always receive the appropriate intervention and support that they require.
EPIC hopes that these new standards will be supported by staff training and development, so that the regulations and standards ensure that a young person leaves a period in special care better equipped, having addressed some of their behavioural issues, and received support to develop emotionally. Quality inspections by HIQA according to these Standards should promote a higher level of care and behavioural development for children and young people in special care.
Notes to the Editor
- HIQA press release and National Standards available from HIQA athttp://www.hiqa.ie/press-release/2015-03-03-hiqa-publishes-new-national-standards-special-care-units-children
ENDS
For all media enquiries, or to arrange an interview please contact:
Jennifer Gargan, Director of EPIC
Telephone: 01 8727 661 Mobile: 086 607 3866
Email: jennifergargan@epiconline.ie Website:www.epiconline.ie
EPIC (formerly IAYPIC) is an independent association that works throughout the Republic of Ireland, with and for children and young people who are currently living in care or who have had an experience of living in care.