PCI achieves EQUASS award for high-quality services

We are delighted to announce that Positive Care Ireland has received the European Quality in Social Services (EQUASS) award. The Quality Audit took place over the month of February and we received excellent feedback. The audit itself was incredibly detailed and involved comprehensive documentation of all of our quality-assurance processes, evidence of every system that we use, and extensive interviews with care workers, deputy managers, unit managers, directors, young people, their families and social workers.

During the interviews, one family member remarked “Positive Care Ireland has not only helped our son – they have saved our whole family from falling apart“. In addition, a young person in PCI had the following to say: “Before [PCI], I was not very confident about myself and I had no friends, now I have several friends in the neighbourhood and I’m also coaching for the young ones in the local Gaelic football team“.

There is a detailed report that we are reviewing, but in particular the auditor noted that:
“At Positive Care Ireland it is possible for all the stakeholders to give feedback on their individual and collective experience of programmes and services… During the interviews it was also clear about the very strong focus Positive Care Ireland has on collecting feedback from all involved persons and organisations“.

The audit also appreciated the energy, commitment and enthusiasm of our young, qualified workforce and recommended that we continue to invest in them and develop their experience.

The result of our core focus on quality is also an ability to delivery cost-effective services. During an interview with a social worker, PCI were indicated to be the “best value for money“, with this being one of our key strengths (alongside the comprehensive regular reports on young people in our care).

I’d like to take the time to thank EQUASS for their assistance in this audit process and for such an effective audit of our services. In addition, I’d like to thank all of those involved in preparing for the audit.

If you’re interested in learning more about our EQUASS audit, or Positive Care Ireland’s services, please contact me via email (unamarie.coyne@positivecare.ie) or by mobile (087 950 0628). You can make a referral from this page.

PCI is getting involved in original research in social care in Ireland

As part of our research initiative, PCI are currently working with several academic institutions, such as IT Sligo, to conduct research in residential care in Ireland. In the past this area has not received much attention from a research point-of-view, but we’re glad to be changing this by participating in research on topics like food in residential care, the use of relief workers in services and aftercare support and services.

If you are aware of any more research taking please in Ireland, please let us know – we’re always interested in giving insights into residential care while maintaining the anonymity of the young people in our care.

Email info@positivecare.ie with your ideas and get in contact with us.