To ask the Minister of Health to detail any independent oversight or quality assurance process that is carried out on options appraisals conducted by Health and Social Care Trusts in relation to care placements of individuals with a learning disability or complex needs.

Care placement options for individuals with Learning Disabilities or complex needs, are considered as part of a comprehensive assessment process, which looks at the individual's assessed needs, circumstances and best interests. Decisions are made in consultation with service users, families and, where appropriate, independent advocate and are informed by consideration of assessed need, risks, evidence-based practice, quality and affordability.

All placement decisions are subject to oversight and quality assurance processes through established governance arrangements. There is no separate independent oversight or quality assurance process that applies specifically to all options appraisals relating to care placements however, assurance is provided through a combination of Trust internal and external mechanisms.

Internally, these include scrutiny through multidisciplinary team assessment and review processes, senior management oversight, governance and approval panels, and financial and procurement controls where appropriate. Individual placement decisions may also be reviewed through safeguarding, care management and ongoing review processes.

Externally, assurance is provided through wider accountability arrangements, including oversight by the Regulatory and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA), Department of Health and the Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO), as appropriate.