Irish Social Services Inspectorate
Information for Parents
This booklet is intended to offer information to parents and other family members of children living in health board Children's Residential Centres, about inspections carried out by the Social Services Inspectorate.
Who Are We?
The Social Services Inspectorate was set up in 1999 to inspect a range of Personal Social Services. Our first task is to inspect children's residential centres run by the Health Boards, to ensure that there are good standards of care for all young people who are placed in children's centres.
Do We Work for the Health Board?
No, we are an independent service set up by the government.
How Do Inspections Take Place?
Inspectors visit each children's centre over three days. We meet with the staff and young people to get their views and opinions about what it is like to live in the centre. We also talk to social workers and managers. We examine case files and other records and observe practice.
Do We Talk to Parents?
Yes, we are always interested in finding out how well you think your child is being cared for?
What is Your Part in the Inspection?
Meeting and talking to parents is a very impor-tant part of the inspection. We want to hear your views on the care provided for your child.
We also want to listen to how parents them-selves are treated by the centre and to learn whether, in your opinion, there are things that could be improved.
Therefore we would be grateful if you could take time to complete our questionnaires and meet with us at a time convenient to you during the inspection.
What Will We Do With What You Tell Us?
We write a report on our findings and make rec-ommendations that we consider necessary. This is sent to the Department of Health and Children and is posted on our website at www.issi.ie. Occasionally reports are not put on the website if information could identify chil-dren and young people.
Thank you for filling out the questionnaire. If you are agreeable, we will contact you later to see what time suits you to meet with us.
If any parent wishes to contact us at any time, you can phone or write to us at:
Irish Social Services
Inspectorate,
Floor 3,
94 St. Stephens Green,
Dublin 2.
Tel: 01-418-0588
or, fill in the on-line contact form.