Resources
A free toolbox of trusted guidance for disability service providers.
I've gathered the key official guidance from HIQA, the HSE and the Department of Health in one place and grouped it by what you're trying to do. Every link goes straight to the official source, so you'll always get the latest version.
Last reviewed: October 2026
1. Registering a New Centre
Planning a new residential service? Start here.
What is a designated centre? (HIQA). Helps you work out whether your service needs to register.
Registration Handbook (HIQA). How to make an application, provide prescribed information and submit registration notifications.
Are you ready? Guidance and checklist (HIQA). A practical self-check before you submit your application.
Statement of Purpose guidance and template (HIQA). What your Statement of Purpose must include, with a template to download.
Assessment of fitness (HIQA). How HIQA assesses the fitness of providers and people in management roles.
Regulation 14: Person in Charge (HIQA). The requirements for the person in charge of a centre.
Being application ready (webinar slides) (HIQA). HIQA's own tips on common gaps in registration applications.
Provider Portal user guide (HIQA). Step-by-step help using the online portal for applications and notifications.
2. Standards and Regulations
The rules and standards every designated centre is measured against.
National Standards for Residential Services for Children and Adults with Disabilities (HIQA). The current national standards (2013).
Updated National Standards (draft for consultation) (HIQA). The proposed new standards consulted on in 2026. Worth reading now to get ahead of the changes.
Care and Support Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 367) (Irish Statute Book). The regulations that inspections assess compliance against.
Registration Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 366) (Irish Statute Book). The legal requirements for registering a centre.
Regulation Handbook (HIQA). A plain-English guide to regulation for providers and staff.
3. Inspection and Ongoing Compliance
Know what inspectors look for and keep on top of your notifications.
Assessment-judgment frameworks (HIQA). Exactly how inspectors judge compliance with each regulation. A great self-assessment tool.
Monitoring notifications handbook (HIQA). Which events you must notify to HIQA, and when.
Managing notifiable events (HIQA). How to respond to and manage notifiable events well.
Feedback on draft inspection reports (HIQA). How to respond if you disagree with something in a draft report.
Questionnaire for residents (HIQA). The questionnaire HIQA uses to hear residents' views.
Latest disability inspection reports (HIQA). Learn from what inspectors are finding in other centres.
4. Day Services and HSE Policies
Standards for day services and the HSE's national policies in one place.
New Directions: day services hub (National Disability Authority). The Interim Standards for day services, outcomes-focused monitoring and the National Framework for Person-Centred Planning.
HSE National Central Repository (HSE). Search all current HSE national policies, procedures and guidelines, including disability-specific policies.
5. Governance and Quality
Tools to show your service is well run and always improving.
Regulation 23: Six-monthly unannounced visit (HIQA). Guidance on the provider's own six-monthly visits.
Annual review report: Regulation 23(d) (HIQA). What your annual review of quality and safety should cover.
Governance and management learning event (slides) (HIQA). HIQA's 2025 roadshow on good governance in disability services.
eLearning for persons in charge (HIQA). A free 45-minute module on the role of the person in charge.
Fire Safety Handbook (HIQA). Fire safety guidance for registered providers and staff.
Incident Management Framework (HSE). The HSE framework, guidance and tools for managing incidents.
6. Risk Management
The HSE framework and ready-to-use tools for identifying, assessing and managing risk.
Enterprise Risk Management Policy and Procedures 2023 (HSE). The HSE policy on how risk is managed across health and social care services, aligned to ISO 31000.
Risk management forms, tools and training (HSE). All the HSE risk templates, worked examples, webinars and training in one place.
HSE Risk Assessment Tool (HSE). The impact and likelihood tables and risk matrix used to rate every risk.
Generic Risk Assessment Form (HSE). A ready-to-use risk assessment template (Word).
Risk assessment worked example (HSE). A completed example showing how to fill in the form well.
Risk register for funded providers (HSE). The Excel risk register template for Section 38 and 39 organisations.
Risk management FAQs (HSE). Clear answers to common questions about applying the policy.
Risk management in good governance (slides) (HIQA). How risk management supports strong governance.
7. Safeguarding, Rights and Restrictive Practice
Keeping people safe while upholding their rights and choices.
National Standards for Adult Safeguarding (HIQA). Joint HIQA and Mental Health Commission standards (2019).
National Policy Framework for Adult Safeguarding (Department of Health). The new national framework launched in December 2025 and the duties it brings for providers.
Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons at Risk of Abuse (HSE). The HSE's current safeguarding policy and procedures, in place while the new national framework is introduced.
Raise a concern about an adult at risk (HSE). How to report a safeguarding concern and who to contact.
Indicators of abuse (HIQA). A quick guide to recognising the signs of abuse.
Guidance on restrictive practice (HIQA). How to identify, review and reduce restrictive practices.
Human rights-based approach (HIQA). Practical guidance on putting human rights at the heart of everyday care and support.
Assisted Decision-Making resources (HSE). Free guidance and eLearning on the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act.
8. Complaints and Accessible Information
Listening well and making information easy to understand.
Comments, Compliments and Complaints Policy (HSE). The HSE's Your Service Your Say policy for managing feedback and complaints.
National Guidelines on Accessible Services (HSE). Guidance on accessible information, including easy-to-read.
Need a hand putting this into practice?
Guidance is only the start. If you'd like support applying any of it in your service, from registration to inspection readiness, I'd be glad to help. Book a free 20-minute call.
These links go to external websites. Please always check you are using the most recent version of any document.