Significant abuse has been reported at Doncaster Care Homes who managed to maintain their ‘good’ Ofsted ratings.

A BBC investigation carried out in relation to Doncaster Care Homes in June 2022 has established that over 100 safeguarding reports had been made relating to serious abuse within a three-year period, yet the homes managed to maintain their ‘good’ Ofsted rating. The reports relate to incidents that occurred from early 2018 to Spring 2021.

Of those allegations, 66 warnings were deemed so serious that they were sent to Doncaster Council's Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) and 40 were considered to have met the threshold to inform Ofsted.

Despite the high volume of concerns in a relatively short period of time, the homes continued to operate, whilst maintaining their ‘good’ Ofsted ratings.

The investigation found that the nature of the allegations uncovered ‘systemic and sustained abuse’ in the homes. Many of those homes accommodated very vulnerable young people, with a significant number of residents being non-verbal and unable to communicate the abuse they were suffering.

The homes were operated by the Hesley Group, who following the investigation have apologised. Ofsted have also apologised for their involvement.

The Hesley Group has not commented further whilst there is an ongoing police investigation.

The type of abuse alleged was severe, including residents being locked overnight in bathrooms, left in soiled clothing, being made to sit in cold baths and being deprived of medication.

The investigation also revealed that staff members did not have full criminal record checks before they started to work with the children.

A former support worker from one of the homes said that children would go to the extent of covering their arms in washing up liquid so ‘the night staff wouldn’t grab them’.

The ex-support worker reported that the staff would openly talk about the punishments within the homes that she considered excessive. She reported her concerns to senior management who responded saying it was a matter of perception.

Ex-employees reported their concerns to the police with them responding saying there was not enough evidence to start an investigation.

Notwithstanding disclosure of the horrendous abuse suffered in Winterbourne View, in 2011 it appears from these investigations that abuse may be continuing in some care homes. Statutory and regulatory bodies may not always provide the protection for vulnerable individuals which they should.

For parents, families and carers, a ‘good’ Ofsted rating may offer reassurance to them when they find themselves in a very difficult position of seeing their child placed in a home. Many homes which receive such a rating are doing all they should to obtain and maintain the same, but as ever when investigations reveal these issues questions must be asked including does should there be more transparency when numerous complaints of this nature are made?