Published: Friday, 19th March, 2010 3:30pm

Offaly children find a voice through consultation

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Children and young people from Offaly in residential and foster care now have their chance to make decisions about their own care and wellbeing.

There are approximately 101 children and young people in care in Offaly and they are being urged by the Health Information and Quality Authority to have their say in how they are being looked after.

HIQA has launched a consultation on the Draft National Quality Standards for Residential and Foster Care Services for Children and Young People. Information collected from consultation will be used to inform the development of the final national standards which will be published later this year.

"We are actively seeking input from children, young people and their families on our new standards. It is really important that children especially take part and tell us what they think good, safe, care looks like," said Dr Marion Witton, Chief Inspector of Social Services.

The consultation process will continue until March 31. Feedback can be provided through www.twitter.com/hiqa or search for HIQA on Facebook, directly to consultation@hiqa.ie or by completing a feedback form available from www.hiqa.ie.