Local Authority’s failure to act on child abuse claims against Doncaster childcare homes

Local Authority’s failure to act on child abuse claims against Doncaster childcare homes rated by Ofsted as ‘good’

A recent BBC investigation uncovered more than 100 concerns lodged against various Doncaster based children’s homes. The homes had astonishingly continued to receive a rating of ‘good’ from Ofsted despite the issued complaints.

There had been systemic and sustained abuse in the homes

The Hesley Group, responsible for running two residential special schools, has apologised after a BBC investigation uncovered concerns regarding the abusive treatment of children at homes based in the Doncaster area. Documents revealed during the investigation that over 104 complaints were raised between 2018 to 2021 on behalf of vulnerable children in care that were feared to have been harmed.

The homes in question continued to receive an Ofsted grading of ‘good,’ which in accordance with Ofsted grade classification is awarded if the inspectors of the home find, amongst other requirements, that ‘safeguarding is effective.’

It transpires that Ofsted had been notified around 40 times of alleged incidents involving vulnerable children, many of whom were non-verbal. The BBC investigation found that there had been systemic and sustained abuse in the various homes, with Dr Mark Kerr, Deputy CEO of the Children’s Homes Association, advising that there were ‘clear institutional failings to prevent abuse.’

Leaked incident logs showed reports of physical abuse, including children being punched and kicked in the stomach; with one autistic child being dragged across the floor. Children were allegedly locked in bathrooms overnight, left in soiled clothes and deprived of medication.

There were also reports of multiple support workers being allowed to work with children for up to six months before their DBS criminal record checks had been completed. In March 2021, the regulator finally stepped in, and the homes were closed shortly afterwards, with many criticising the length of time it took for this to occur.

The need for mandatory reporting of abuse, and fully independent advocacy services for children in care

These findings further support the need for well-designed mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse for anyone working in regulated activities and personally responsible for the care of children.

Slater and Gordon lawyers Richard Scorer and Kim Harrison argued for this in the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA). In its final report in October 2022, IICSA recommended that the government introduce mandatory reporting.

There is also a pressing need for fully independent advocacy services for those in care, as Richard Scorer explained here: Avoiding another Lambeth (themj.co.uk). To be empowered to speak up when something is wrong, vulnerable children in state care need well-resourced independent visitors and advocacy services. That said, the onus of reporting must not rest on children, which is why a mandatory reporting requirement for the adults around them is so important.

How Slater and Gordon can help

Our expert abuse solicitors work with victims and survivors of abuse every day and have decades of experience fighting for compensation for our clients. We have dedicated solicitors with vast experience in dealing with child abuse claims.

Our specialist public inquiries team has acted for many individuals and organisations in several high-profile public inquiries, including the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), the Manchester Arena Bombing Inquiry, and the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.

We encourage anyone impacted by abuse to contact our team of specialist abuse claims solicitors. Our experts are experienced in handling cases involving highly sensitive matters, including sexual abuse. They professionally and compassionately support victims of abuse to obtain compensation from the people and organisations responsible for their injuries. To get in contact for a confidential discussion of your potential case, please call us on 0330 041 5869.