Inspection of School Age Services
The authority to inspect School age Services is established by the Child Care Act 1991, Section 58 as amended by Part 12 of the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013
Section 58I of the act empowers Tusla’s Early Years Inspectorate to regulate the provision of School Age Services by ensuring that the services are visited by authorised persons (inspectors).
Section 58J, permits authorised persons (inspectors) to enter a school age service for the purposes of ensuring compliance with the relevant sections of Part 12 of the Child & Family Agency Act 2013.
All School Age Service providers must comply with the Child Care Act 1991 (Registration of School Age Services) Regulations 2018. Under these regulations the inspectorate can seek assurances that policies and procedures are supplied as part of the registration process and are being implemented in practice and staff have appropriate training.
Providers of School Age Services must also be able to demonstrate their compliance with other duties as set out in Section 58G, these are
- Demonstration that the provider is taking all reasonable measures to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of the children in attendance.
- Evidence that there are sufficient numbers of competent and suitable staff in place - no less than the prescribed ratio of 1:12 to appropriately supervise the children at all times.
To assist providers to meet high standards of care, the DCDE have produced National Quality Guidelines for School Age Child Care settings, which can be found here.
School age services are subject to inspection by the Early Years Inspectorate. This means that an Early Years Inspector can call to a school age service unannounced to conduct an inspection at any time when the service is in operation.
To assist School age providers, we have created a short video about preparing for an inspection of a school age service. There is also helpful information available on what may happen during and after an inspection takes place.
- Corrective and Protective Action Guidance
- Factual Accuracy Review
- Statutory Notices Guidance
- Inspection Findings Review Guidance
Furnishing of Information to Tusla’s Early Years Inspectorate
A Registered Provider or proposed Registered Provider of a School Age service is mandated by legislation to provide inspectors or registration officers with any information that Tusla’s Early Years Inspectorate may reasonably require for the purpose of enforcing and executing the Regulations. The Inspectorate is empowered to verify any information provided to them by an applicant.