National high support units offer a residential service to children and young people who are in need of specialised targeted intervention. Special care units provide secure residential services to children and young people who are in need of specialised targeted intervention. I am advised that there were currently 10 children placed in national high support units and 15 in special care units.
The HSE have advised me that ongoing monitoring of National High Support and Special Care Services indicates that capacity broadly met demand in the first 3 months of this year.
In terms of progress made during the first three months of 2013 to increase provision in High Support and Special Care, the HSE has advised of the following:
- the service continues to work with a range of agencies and professionals to deliver on Service Improvements identified in the plan by the same name for 2011-2014. In the first three months of 2013, a key development was a major consultation with relevant organisations and professions (Mental Health, Public Health, Education and the Gardaí) which is informing the development of Standard Operating Procedures, including policies and procedures for working with partner agencies.
- a national inter-agency project is continuing to consider the scope for reorganising existing provision to ensure services meet the need of children and young people in the most effective way possible.
- A significant capital development project is under way which will provide additional capacity.
The HSE has advised me that the number of children placed in Coovagh House is capped at 3 to allow for appropriate testing of recent enhanced building security works. Following completion of an ongoing review into capacity and demand for national services, the HSE advise that occupancy levels may increase to 4.
