Newly Released IPAS Inspection Reports identify critical non-compliance issues which must be addressed

Recent HIQA inspection reports have revealed critical non-compliance issues within International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) centres, particularly in areas of Governance and Management, Risk Management, Human Rights, and Safeguarding. These findings highlight urgent areas of concern requiring immediate attention.

Introduction

In January 2024, HIQA assumed the function of monitoring and inspecting International Protection Accommodation Service centres against the National Standards for accommodation offered to people in the protection process (2019). This month, HIQA published its first inspection reports on IPAS centres. These reports outline the levels of compliance with the national standards in four centres located around Ireland. Although examples of good practice where observed in some centres, major non-compliance issues were highlighted in relation to governance and management, risk management, safeguarding and promoting basic human rights.

In order for your IPAS centre to improve the quality of care and safeguard residents, it is imperative that you review these findings, identify the learnings for your service and implement quality improvement plans to address the areas of concern. In this article, we provide a summary of the key findings under the related Theme of the National Standards for accommodation offered to people in the protection process (2019).

Summary of IPAS Inspection Report Findings

THEME 1: GOVERNANCE, ACCOUNTABILITY AND LEADERSHIP

The service provider did not fully understand the responsibilities set out in legislation and national policy.
The service provider had not yet implemented systems for the oversight and monitoring of the quality of care and experience of adults living in the centre.
While there was a complaints procedure in place, there was no formal documentary evidence of complaints made or how they were investigated or managed by the service provider.
There was a lack of formalised governance and management systems in place.
The service provider did not have systems in place to manage or oversee complaints, incidents and risks.
Quality assurance and communication systems were inadequate, which resulted in limited oversight of the services and supports provided to residents.
Consultation with residents regarding service provision or their experience was not prioritised and there was no annual review of the service, as required.
There was an absence of formalised leadership and governance and management arrangements which resulted in poor oversight of the support provided to residents.
The service provider could not effectively self-identify risks, hazards, and areas that required improvement.
There was no auditing, quality improvement plans or culture of continually striving to improve the centre’s services.
No annual review of the quality and safety of service was completed.
There was no written description of the services provided in the centre.

THEME 2: RESPONSIVE WORKFORCE

The provider had not undertaken a training needs analysis to ensure all the required training as prescribed in the national standards was delivered to the staff team.
Garda vetting was not in place for a number of staff and international police checks had not been carried out for some staff members who lived overseas for a period of six months or more, as required.
There was no formal, recorded supervision arrangements in place to oversee and support staff in their roles.
Training to provide person-centred care had not been provided and managers did not have appropriate training for their role.
The service provider did not have a policy for managing the outcome of the vetting process where risks were identified.
Some files reviewed had no job descriptions for the staff members or induction records for their current roles.
There was an absence of policies on staff supervision, staff development, and performance management.
There were low levels of staff trained in areas such as mental health, domestic and gender-based violence, and no member of staff had attended training on first aid, human trafficking, disability, antibullying, conflict resolution, self-awareness, and person-centred service provision as required by the national standards.

THEME 3: CONTINGENCY PLANNING AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

There was an ineffective risk management system in place in the centre which had not considered many of the risks relating to the health, safety, welfare and human rights of residents.
There was an absence of a risk management framework to guide staff members and managers on how to appropriately identify, assess, manage, and report risks.
The risk register in use in the centre was inadequate and the inspectors found that numerous risks had not been identified or assessed by the service provider.
The inspectors found no risk analysis of the service completed to identify, assess, or control risks and hazards that may compromise the safety and wellbeing of residents and the quality of service provision.

THEME 4: ACCOMMODATION

There were no arrangements in place to ensure that, where possible, accommodation was allocated in a way that considered residents’ identified needs and best interests.
Residents’ living spaces were found to be very cluttered and did not have access to storage spaces in some cases. While residents had the opportunity to request a single room, requests based on vulnerabilities were not prioritised.
Despite there being a cleaning programme in place, inspectors found that many areas of the centre required a deep clean as well as a sustained and monitored cleaning programme.
There was an absence of policies and procedures to ensure that room allocations were based on a clear, fair and transparent criteria.
There was an absence of an escalation policy to ensure effective and prompt liaison with the DCEDIY where there were concerns about meeting people’s needs.
There were clear examples of overcrowding in the centre and these conditions were found to compromise the privacy, dignity and safety of some residents.
The widespread presence of pests in the centre presented risks to the health, wellbeing and dignity of residents including children.

THEME 5: FOOD, CATERING AND COOKING FACILITIES

The service offered a fully catered service but there was no option for residents to prepare their own meals if they wished to do so.
The dining area had limited opening times and residents did not have permissions to access these facilities outside of these times.

THEME 6: PERSON CENTRED CARE AND SUPPORT

This inspection found that while residents were provided with some information about their rights, had access to advocacy services and had space to practice their religion, further work was required to ensure the service was provided through a rights-based and person-centred approach.

THEME 8: SAFEGUARDING AND PROTECTION

There was an absence of a policy for adult safeguarding. There was a lack of awareness among the service provider, centre managers, and staff regarding their responsibility to safeguard vulnerable adults in accordance with national policy requirements.
There were no arrangements in place for lessons learnt or debriefing following incidents and events for the purpose of service improvement.
The service had an adult safeguarding statement but there was no detailed policy to outline how concerns related to the safeguarding of adults should be managed.
There was no designated officer appointed to manage adult safeguarding concerns.
Residents told inspectors that they had observed incidents on a regular basis relating to drug use, alcohol use and aggressive behaviours but inspectors found that there were no records relating to such incidents.
Not all staff had completed the required training in Children First (2017).
The service had not assessed risks relating to childminding arrangements or how children were supervised in the centre.
The service provider did not ensure that all incidents or adverse events were recorded and there was no system to oversee and monitor concerns relating to the safeguarding of all residents.

THEME 9: HEALTH, WELLBEING AND DEVELOPMENT

There were no records to demonstrate how residents were supported on a day-to-day basis in relation to health promotion, physical and mental health or their welfare.

THEME 10: IDENTIFICATION, ASSESSMENT AND RESPONSE TO SPECIAL NEEDS

The service provider did not have a policy in place to identify, address and respond to existing and emerging special reception needs.
The service provider had not employed a dedicated reception officer with the required qualifications in line with the requirements of the national standards.
There was no specialised training or support provided to staff in the centre to identify and respond to special reception needs and vulnerabilities of residents.
There was no policy in place to identify, communicate and address existing and emerging special reception needs of residents.
Some residents had additional vulnerabilities due to the nature of their accommodation and wider situations but they did not have access to additional supports or services, outside of what was available for all residents.

Conclusion

The HIQA IPAS inspection reports have illuminated major concerns in IPAS centres, particularly around governance, risk management, garda vetting, safeguarding and basic human rights.

To move forward, it’s essential to establish more robust oversight mechanisms, clear risk management frameworks, transparent complaint handling processes, and a culture of continuous improvement. A commitment to take positive action will not only address the immediate deficiencies but also pave the way for sustainable, high-standard service provision that respects the dignity and rights of all residents under international protection.

HCI is at the forefront, providing essential support to IPAS centres striving to meet and exceed regulatory standards. Our expert services are specifically designed to address these critical deficiencies efficiently and effectively.

We can offer your IPAS centre comprehensive support through the:

For more information on how HCI can assist you in achieving regulatory compliance and safeguarding residents, please contact us at info@hci.care or call 01 629 2559.

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For more information contact info@hci.care or Phone +353 (0)1 6292559.

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