Where we work
Care services in Northern Ireland
Support for Northern Ireland providers, with RQIA registration and childcare registration through HSC Trust Early Years Teams kept distinct.
The correct route depends on the service. We help organise the application, management arrangements and operating documents around Northern Ireland’s requirements.
Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA)
RQIA registers and regulates a range of services including nursing homes, residential care homes, domiciliary care agencies, children’s homes, residential family centres, independent healthcare and nursing agencies. The proposed activities determine the category and standards that apply.
HSC Trust Early Years Teams
Childminders and day-care providers such as nurseries register with the relevant Health and Social Care Trust’s Early Years Team where registration is required. These teams inspect and monitor childcare provision. A nursery should not be presented as an RQIA registration project.
Commissioning and specialist proposals
For commissioned services, we distinguish regulatory requirements from the relevant commissioner’s contract and quality-monitoring arrangements. Secure children’s provision and clinical projects need a separate feasibility and approval review, including any government or specialist involvement.
The framework for your service
RQIA’s framework includes the Health and Personal Social Services (Quality, Improvement and Regulation) (Northern Ireland) Order 2003, service-specific regulations and standards. Childcare has its own requirements under the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 and related standards.
Our work can include service planning, application preparation, leadership preparation, opening checks and support for an existing provider. We agree what is included, who handles specialist work and what happens after handover.