Improvements Required At Bray Disability Centre Following HIQA Inspection

A residential disability service in Wicklow has been told improvements are needed in parts of its risk management and care planning systems following an unannounced inspection by HIQA.

The inspection at Ard na Greine, operated by Sunbeam House Services CLG, took place on February 19th as part of the regulator’s ongoing monitoring of designated centres for adults with disabilities.

The centre, which can accommodate up to four adults with intellectual disabilities, was praised in several areas, with inspectors finding residents were treated with dignity and respect and supported to live as independently as possible within their community.

HIQA said the service was being delivered through a “human rights-based approach”, with residents supported to make choices about their daily lives, activities and routines. Inspectors also noted warm interactions between staff and residents, strong safeguarding procedures and a clean, comfortable and well-maintained home environment.

The report found the service was compliant in a number of areas including staffing, governance and management, communication supports, residents’ rights, safeguarding and positive behavioural supports.

However, inspectors identified shortcomings under risk management procedures and personal planning.

One resident, who was assessed as being at high risk of falls both at home and in the community, did not have an individual falls risk assessment on file at the time of inspection. HIQA said this presented a potential risk of injury.

Inspectors also found some risk assessments lacked clearly assigned responsibility for follow-up actions, while several were overdue for review.

In addition, two residents did not have fully updated assessments of need, with one assessment not reviewed since February 2024.

HIQA said this created a risk that care and support plans may not fully reflect residents’ changing needs and circumstances.

Despite the issues identified, inspectors said residents appeared happy and comfortable in the home and were supported to take part in meaningful activities aligned with their interests and preferences.

The provider has since submitted a compliance plan to HIQA.

Actions include updating outstanding risk assessments, reviewing all residents’ assessments of need and introducing monthly reviews of the centre’s risk register.

The provider said the required actions would be completed between February and April of this year.