People with Disabilities
The Health Information and Quality Authority will be responsible for the regulation of residential and residential respite services for people with disabilities provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE), private organisations or voluntary bodies when the relevant parts of the Health Act 2007 are enacted in 2013.The Standards
We have published National Standards for Residential Services for Children and Adults with Disabilities. These set out what a quality, safe service for people with disabilities in a residential service should be. They will apply to residential and residential respite services across disability sectors in Ireland, whether they are run by public, private or voluntary bodies or organisations.The National Standards are based on a positive vision for the development of services to support people with disabilities in Ireland. They focus on outcomes which empower people with disabilities at the different stages of their lives to participate in, and contribute to, activities which help them to realise their full potential. They were developed following extensive consultation with people from all across the disability sector. They take into account the unique social and developmental needs of adults and children and, in consideration of this, the National Standards include separate sections for children with disabilities and adults with disabilities.
Implementing the Standards
The Health Act 2007 states that all residential services for people with disabilities must register with us at the Health Information and Quality Authority. The relevant part of the Act has yet to be passed into law. When this happens, we will be responsible for registering residential and residential respite services for children and adults with disabilities. We will then begin inspections to ensure that all residential services are meeting the Standards and legislation and that everyone living in residential care is getting the quality of support they deserve.The National Standards for Residential Services for Children and Adults with Disabilities are based on key principles which will guide residential services on how best to provide a safe and effective service for children and adults with disabilities. They are organised into eight key themes. These include:
- Individualised Supports and Care
- Effective Services
- Safe Services
- Health and Development
- Leadership, Governance and Management
- Use of Resources
- Responsive Workforce
- Use of Information
Download the National Standards in a variety of formats below:
- National Quality Standards: Residential Services for Adults and Children with Disabilities 2013 (PDF)
- Public friendly guide to the National Standards
- Easy to read version of the National Standards for Children
- Easy to read version of the National Standards for Adults
