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Introduction: This paper reports on the outcomes from an analysis of 500 noncompliant regulations drawn from 1563 Early Years Services inspections that took place in Ireland between January and December 2017. Aim: The aim of this study was to consider the impact of the early years inspection process on the quality of early years services. Methodology: A two-stage approach was adopted. First, the extent to which regulatory compliance, as determined by the Early Years Inspector (EYI), was achieved at the end of the corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) process was calculated using a content analysis. Second, illustrative case studies are presented for the purpose of providing an insight into the approaches through which compliance is achieved. Results: The results show that the inspectorate successfully identifies noncompliances in respect of children's health, welfare and development, the safety and governance of the service and the premises and facilities. Following the detection of these noncompliances, it provides opportunities for early years providers to rectify the deficiencies and works in a collaborative way to achieve improvements to the services. More than eight in every 10 services (83%) make demonstrable and evidenced improvements to their service on completion of this process. A further 10% of services report improvements which the EYI will review at the next inspection. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that through responsive regulation as described by Boyne, Day, and Walker (2002), the EYIs are successful in effecting changes to the behaviour of service providers and securing improvements in the quality of the service.

Introduction: This paper reports on the outcomes from an analysis of 500 noncompliant regulations drawn from 1563 Early Years Services inspections that took place in Ireland between January and December 2017. Aim: The aim of this study was to consider the impact of the early years inspection process on the quality of early years services. Methodology: A two-stage approach was adopted. First, the extent to which regulatory compliance, as determined by the Early Years Inspector (EYI), was achieved at the end of the corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) process was calculated using a content analysis. Second, illustrative case studies are presented for the purpose of providing an insight into the approaches through which compliance is achieved. Results: The results show that the inspectorate successfully identifies noncompliances in respect of children's health, welfare and development, the safety and governance of the service and the premises and facilities. Following the detection of these noncompliances, it provides opportunities for early years providers to rectify the deficiencies and works in a collaborative way to achieve improvements to the services. More than eight in every 10 services (83%) make demonstrable and evidenced improvements to their service on completion of this process. A further 10% of services report improvements which the EYI will review at the next inspection. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that through responsive regulation as described by Boyne, Day, and Walker (2002), the EYIs are successful in effecting changes to the behaviour of service providers and securing improvements in the quality of the service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Similar to other countries, there have been a number of high-profile reports into past and recent cases of child abuse and neglect in Ireland. The most recent of these have been the Monageer Inquiry, the Ryan Report, the Roscommon Child Care Case and the Report of the Independent Child Death Review Group. An analysis of these reports highlights the critical role played by public health nurses with troubled families. It also makes explicit key issues that consistently emerge as problematic in terms of professional practice. This paper summarises the main findings of the reports as they relate to the public health nursing service and identifies key themes emerging along with recommendations arising. The emerging themes relate to assessment, early intervention, record keeping, communication and interdisciplinary working and the role of public health nursing management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents the results of a survey of public health nurses who work with families with infants in Ireland. Working relationships of nurses with speech therapists, area medical officers and community welfare officers; Use of statistical correlation; Implications for communication and teamworking in primary care.