Phase two report published on abuse in residential special schools in Doncaster
This report has been shared by our colleagues at the Council for Disabled Children.
Yesterday, Thursday 20 April, The Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel published the phase two report on safeguarding children and young people with disabilities and complex health needs in residential settings. This follows the phase one report which was published in October 2022.
The phase one report highlighted appalling standards of care and failings in oversight in three Doncaster residential homes: Fullerton House, Wilsic Hall and Wheatley House – operated by the Hesley Group.
The recommendations in the phase two report urge government departments to work together to transform the education, health and care offer so that children with disabilities and complex health needs thrive and are supported to achieve.
Recommendations
The Panel is making nine recommendations for government departments, inspectorates and NHS England that aim at ensuring children with learning disabilities, autism and complex health needs have the support they need to thrive.
These include:
- The Department for Education and Department of Health and Social Care should develop statutory guidance to require local authorities and integrated care board (ICBs) to jointly commission safe, sufficient and appropriate provision for children with disabilities and complex health needs.
- The government should commission an integrated strategy for the development of the children’s workforce in residential settings. This should include training on the appropriate use of physical restraints and restrictive interventions and their authorisation.
- The government should ensure all children with disabilities and complex health needs have access to independently commissioned, non-instructed advocacy.
- Systems for the early identification of safeguarding risks in residential settings should be strengthened through an enhanced role for host local authorities and ICBs in the oversight of residential settings in their area.
- The Department for Education and Department of Health and Social Care should revise the regulatory framework for residential settings and immediately establish arrangements for joint inspection by Ofsted and CQC of residential settings for children with disabilities and complex health needs.
- National leadership and investment by providers is urgently required to address the longstanding challenges in recruiting, retaining and developing a skilled workforce is residential settings.