Welcome to the Social Services Inspectorate

The Social Services Inspectorate (SSI) was established in 1999 to inspect social services in Ireland. It is administered by the Department of Health and Children (DoH&C) but will be established on a statutory basis.

To date the work of the Inspectorate has been focused on children in care. It has assisted in the development of National Standards for children's residential centres, foster care services and special care units. It conducts inspections of children's residential centres and publishes its findings and recommendations in inspection reports. The SSI is undertaking pilot inspections of foster care services in 2004. It also publishes annual reports.

Other work to date has included a report on the implementation of Children First, and Guidance Notes on different aspects of the National Standards.