Oberstown Children Detention Campus has welcomed the findings of a 2024 inspection by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).

HIQA conducted the inspection on campus during 11 and 13 June 2024. Inspectors spoke with young people, staff and management at Oberstown and observed daily life on campus. They also consulted parents and social workers to get their views on the service.

HIQA inspects Oberstown against bespoke standards – the Campus Rules set out in the Oberstown Children’s Rights Policy Framework. HIQA found that there was compliance or substantial compliance across six of the eight standards inspected; two areas were found to be not compliant.

The inspection found that Oberstown provided a safe and secure environment for young people placed there. HIQA noted that the service at Oberstown is “a well-managed service with clear lines of authority” and reported positive comments from young people and their parents. The inspectors reported that “there were clear systems and procedures in place to protect young people from harm and abuse. Arrangements for governance and management of child protection and welfare concerns, as well as the related oversight of practices, had improved in the nine months since the previous inspection.”

The report identified areas of focus for improvements in the service. All findings have been assessed and an action plan has been agreed between Oberstown and HIQA.

Damien Hernon, Director of Oberstown Children Detention Campus, said: “We are pleased with the latest report from HIQA which underlines the sustained positive progress Oberstown has made in recent years.

Many of the young people in our care have experienced significant trauma. Our unique and personalised care model takes into account the factors young people face and is centred on their care, education and health needs.

We are always striving to improve, and the commentary contained within this report helps us to do that. Our staff are committed to providing the highest possible quality of care for young people in detention, and this report contains positive feedback in this regard. Our focus is on maximising the potential of our young people and all who deliver and benefit from our service.”

Koulla Yiasouma, Chairperson of the Oberstown Board of Management, said: “The Board of Management welcomes HIQA inspections and the resulting action plans as vital contributions to Oberstown’s governance.

We will use the latest report and action plan to reinforce our focus on achieving the highest standards, supporting the Oberstown management and staff to deliver improvement and further progress in all aspects of the service.”

The HIQA inspection report is available here.