Minister Harris confirms Sunbeam investigation

Minister Simon Harris has formally confirmed that he will commission a full, independent investigation into Sunbeam House Services following the publication of the HSE Assurance Review into the management of complaints and the implementation of the Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults Policy.

Following a meeting with the SHS Families Advocacy Group, Ministernister Harris said that the investigation will be twofold: to investigate the 33 safeguarding concerns detailed in the review to ensure that any safeguarding and protection issues have been addressed; and to ensure that a process is put in place for the other cases to be screened to determine what requires further investigation.

The person commissioned to conduct the investigation will be asked to meet with the SHS Families Advocacy Group to discuss the process they will undertake.

‘Deloitte will be commissioned to undertake a forensic audit of the SHS management and use of personal private property and clients’ funds in parallel to a value for money review of SHS use of state funding,’ the Minister said.

The terms of reference for the investigation were expected to be published by Thursday, May 11, but the SHS Families Advocacy Group says it is still awaiting them.

Meanwhile, a statement from Sunbeam House Services said that the Board of Directors has finalised the action plan which will be published on its website by the end of this month.

The organisation says that the following changes will be amongst those undertaken: a full review of the complaints policy and systems to ensure that it meets with the HSE’s requirements and is easier to utilise and to understand; the delivery of a new Protected Disclosure Policy and Open Disclosure Policy; an update to the reporting under the National Safeguarding and Protection of Vulnerable Adults Policy; a review of the training and the role of managers; a reconstitution of the Board, with the role of Managing Director being changed to a non-board role of CEO; the appointment of a new senior manager as Head of Service User and Family Engagement; the setting up of a Family Advocacy Group in conjunction with Inclusion Ireland; additional reporting, monthly, to the Board and the HSE, with a more strategic oversight taken by the HSE and a re-establishment of the Audit Committee and the appointment of a new Quality Assurance and Risk Committee with greater service user and family involvement.

Current Board chairman Donal O’Brien is to step down at the end of August at the end of his five-year tenure, at which point a new, external chairman will be appointed.

‘Sunbeam House Services welcomes the announcement by Minister Harris of the further investigations into the use of client monies, the safeguarding and abuse allegations outlined in the Assurance Review and the value for money audit, as well as the review of the ‘substance’ of the 284 complaints that were included in the Assurance Review. Sunbeam House Services will cooperate fully with these investigations as they will be part of the rebuilding of trust that is required,’ the statement read.

“Sunbeam House will cooperate fully with these investigations”