Audit of Client Protection Deirdre Scully, Local Health Manager, West Cork 30 th September 2009

Introduction  In December 2007, the Health Service Executive published the Report of Dr. Kevin McCoy on the Western Health Board inquiry into Brothers of Charity Services in Galway.  This inquiry was into a number of allegations of past child abuse within Holy Family School and Brothers of Charity Services in Galway.  The period covered by the inquiry was 1965 to 1998

 After the publication of the McCoy Report, the Health Service Executive announced a number of National Initiatives to ensure the protection and safety of people with a disability.  Among these initiatives was an agreement with the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies to carry out a national review and audit of client protection issues within intellectual disability services.

Purpose of the Audit  Identify the numbers and patterns of incidents of abuse, however caused, in intellectual disability services in the year  Review policies and procedures currently in use for the protection of service users.

 Identify good practices.  Provide information that will assist in developing national policy.  Identify training needs and good current training practices for Service Users, their Families and Staff.

Membership of the group  Mr. Tom Hogan, Chairman  Ms. Teresa Dykes, HSE  Ms. Deirdre Scully, HSE  Mr. David Kenefick, National Federation of Voluntary Bodies,  Ms. Edel Tierney, National Federation of Voluntary Bodies.

Working Group Terms of Reference  Identify the numbers and patterns of incidents of abuse, however caused, in intellectual disability services in the year  Review policies and procedures currently in use for the protection of service users.  Identify good practices.  Provide information that will assist in developing national policy.  Identify training needs and good current training practices for Service Users, their Families and Staff.

TOR cont’d   Draw up a detailed specification of the work to be undertaken, recognising that while the focus of the HSE is on residential services, the study must include the totality of peoples lives, so all services will be sampled.   The completed specification will be agreed with the National Director, Primary Community and Continuing Care.   There is a HSE requirement of preliminary results in 2008 (later extended). Therefore, the study by its nature will be a pilot study and will require a more detailed study in the future.

TOR cont’d  Recommend persons / organisations to undertake the study.  Oversee the conduct and reporting of the study.  As the research project is a joint initiative between the HSE and National Federation of Voluntary Bodies, each party will receive ongoing briefings on progress.  The group will consult with other people with specialist knowledge as necessary.

The Audit Will Have Two Phases PHASE 1:  Completion of Questionnaire and review of Policies and Procedures PHASE 2:  Conduct face-to-face interviews with –CEO’s –Designated Staff –Frontline Staff

Draft Report The final report should include: The final report should include:  A comprehensive literature review  Data analysis and interpretation  Compilation and summary of findings  Recommendations for National policy.

Findings  Level of awareness among staff, across those interviewed, of policies, procedures and training.  A comparison of different systems and or approaches to abuse prevention across organisations.  The practices in management of allegations of abuse across organisations.  An analysis of the understanding of what constitutes abuse across those interviewed.  An exploration of the learning process, as reported by interviewees, across organisations in the management of abuse.

Role of Expert To validate the work of the audit through: To validate the work of the audit through:  Vetting of questionnaire  Preparation of tool to examine policies and procedures (list key elements of a good non accidental injury policy/procedure)  Develop interview framework for phase 2 of audit  On conclusion of phase 1 and 2 of audit to provide expert input into draft report and recommendations

Ethical Issues