HSE Child Protection and Welfare Service in Carlow/Kilkenny - hiqa.ie

Inspection of the HSE Child Protection and Welfare Service in Carlow/Kilkenny Local Health Area in theHSE South RegionHealth Information and Quality AuthorityThe LHA will take part in the National Review of StandardisedBusiness Processes and take robust and consistent action to makesure they are implemented effectively.National LeadLocal implementationPhase 1 CompletedPhase 2 – April 2013In ensuring compliance with Children First National Guidance for theProtection and Welfare of Children 2011, facilitated learning hascommenced and will continue with frontline Social Workers on initialassessments, CPC, interagency and child welfare and family supportplans.All new staff will receive a copy of Children First and theirunderstanding of the guidance and the implications for their rolesand responsibilities will be monitored during supervision so thatfuture sign off will be based on comprehension and implementationduring daily practice.June 2013 PSWTeam Leaders andSupervisors end May2013All Children on the CPNS will be monitored and reviewed insupervision and the CPNS monitored for effective delivery of timelyand robust information to inform case work with children and theirfamilies and Case Conferences and Reviews.Team Leaders andSupervisors end May2013Theme 2: Safe and Effective ServicesThe LHA was not compliant with the standard in the following respects:The LHA did not complete screening of all concerns in line with Children First (2011) andthere were shortcomings in the effectiveness of the duty system.The LHA’s decision making process for screening was not guided by a clear understandingof thresholds of harm.The LHA did not provide those who made referrals with appropriate feedback, in line withChildren First (2011).7. Action required:The LHA should ensure that all concerns in relation to children are screened and preliminaryenquiries undertaken so that children are directed to the appropriate service.66