Oberstown staffing shortages raise human rights concerns, watchdog says

The assessment, carried out by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), evaluated the campus across five categories, with two rated as “not compliant”.

IPRT welcomed the report’s conclusion that Oberstown provides a generally good, child-centred and safe environment, with staff prioritising the safety, rights and participation of young people in decision-making.

However, the organisation expressed concern at findings of non-compliance in staffing, management and governance. It highlighted the report’s identification of “ongoing and significant” staffing challenges, with levels described as “critically low” at points during the past 12 months, placing strain on the safe delivery of services.

Inspectors found that shortages had contributed to the use of restrictive practices, including single separation. In some instances, such measures were employed due to insufficient staffing rather than risks arising from young people’s behaviour.

IPRT said this raised “fundamental concerns” about proportionality, necessity and the protection of young people’s rights.

“It is clear that overall Oberstown continues to provide a positive experience for many of the young people in its care,” said IPRT executive director Saoirse Brady.

“However, these positive findings sit alongside serious and ongoing concerns regarding staffing levels, which are having a direct and unacceptable impact on young people’s daily lives and rights,” she added.

“The rights of the child are fundamental and cannot be dependent on operational pressures such as staffing shortages,” Ms Brady stated.

“Staffing shortages are no longer just an operational issue; they are a human-rights issue,” she said.

IPRT has called for increased investment in prevention and diversion measures, alongside amendments to the Children’s Act to give judges greater scope to ensure detention is “a last resort”.