The Health Information and Quality Authority has published a report into foster care in the Midlands.

Using 26 standards to measure services, inspectors found none of the standards was being met, and “significant risks” were identified in relation to six.

The watchdog says that in high-priority cases, safeguarding visits had not taken place, and where they had, they were not always of a quality to provide assurances around potential or known risks.

In response, the Child and Family agency Tusla said it recognised the shortcomings highlighted in the report.

It said it had identified a range of measures to improve care experiences for children and carers, and said there was a comprehensive plan in place to address the changes that needed to take place.

Tusla’s chief operations officer Jim Gibson said: “It is with regret that we acknowledge the shortcomings of the fostering service in the Midlands area.

“We have been aware of and working to address key areas for the last 18 months through increased resources and improved practices.

“There have been many challenges for the service, during a difficult period and staff have remained committed to providing a service for children and families.”

He added “much has been done” to improve services in the area, and that further measures were being put in place, including the completion of “needs assessments” before foster placements take place, and the sharing of information between social workers for children in care and the fostering team to guide the matching process.

Some children have been in the foster care system since 2011, without a decision being made on their placement, the report also found.