Facility was non-compliant in areas including food, pharmaceuticals and governance and management
Inspectors of a residential centre for children with intellectual disabilities informed child and family agency Tusla of safeguarding concerns after a child was removed from a room in an ‘inappropriate manner’.
The inspection by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) also found poor prevention controls in place after an outbreak of lice in the centre, while food kept in the fridge for the residents – including milk, yogurts and ham – were past their use-by date. This was despite staff completing a checklist the previous night which stated that all food was within date.
Due to the level of safeguarding concerns found, inspectors took the decision to share their findings with Tusla immediately after the inspection.
Cedar Lodge, a designated residential care centre in Offaly run by Lotus Care Limited, was found to be non-compliant in 14 regulations. These included governance and management; protection against infection; and food and nutrition.
At the time of the inspection the facility provided care for four children with additional needs. This was the centre’s first inspection since its registration as a residential care facility in July 2025.
During the inspection, the regulator observed a staff member locking an internal door to prevent a child from getting into the back kitchen area. Notes had previously recorded that staff locked doors to prevent children from accessing the secure garden area.
“During the course of the inspection a child who had come into the staff office was removed by a staff member in an inappropriate manner, this was also observed by the provider representatives present and subsequently Tusla was informed,” the inspectors said.
They described prevention practices in the wake of a lice outbreak as poor, with ‘inadequate laundry practices’ and the sharing of personal items such as combs.
Pancakes served to the children on the morning of the inspection were found to be out of date. The discovery of this and further expired refrigerated items led to inspectors issuing an immediate action to the care provider.
The provider was issued with an immediate action in relation to removing the keys from the hooks beside the window restrictors, which posed a safety risk as they could be easily accessed by the children.
A review of medical records found that two children had duplication medication prescription sheets, and another child did not have a prescription sheet available to guide staff in administering prescribed medicines.
“An inspector found a medication used to treat pain or fever, was prescribed twice for a child under two different names; one generic and one trade,” the HIQA report said.
“The prescription sheet was maintained in the child’s records but was not signed by the GP. This posed a significant risk, as both forms could potentially be administered. This medicine was available in only one form in the centre.”
Cedar Lodge was one of 22 facilities for people with disabilities that had inspection reports published by HIQA yesterday.
In a centre operated by Sunbeam House Services, residents expressed dissatisfaction due to ongoing safeguarding incidents which required better management by the provider. In addition, improvements were required in staffing and meeting residents’ rights.
Poor governance impacted upon residents at a centre operated by The Rehab Group. The provider had not mitigated a specific risk for a resident. In addition, improvements were required in residents’ personal plans, communication, staffing and oversight of safeguarding.
At a centre operated by St John of God Community Services CLG, significant concerns were raised over the use of residents’ personal finances in an inappropriate manner.
At a centre operated by The Cheshire Foundation in Ireland, improvements were required in residents’ contracts, personal plans and communication needs. A review was required on the impact of some practices upon residents and their rights and in managing their healthcare assessments.
Improvements were required in managing risks and safeguarding assessments for residents at a centre operated by Orchard Community Care Limited.
At two centres operated by Saint Patrick’s Centre (Kilkenny)/trading as Aurora-Enriching Lives, Enriching Communities, improvement was required in the oversight of residents’ finances.
Finally, improvements were required in the management of residents’ personal plans and staff training at a centre operated by St Hilda’s Services.
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