The BBC has reported on safeguarding issues in Hesley Group services for children and adults with learning disabilities.
Yesterday (13th April 2023) the BBC reported that a 2010 investigation into a Hesley Group care home for vulnerable adults found 99 cases of abuse. The BBC describes that a confidential report reveals systemic abuse and safeguarding failingsincluding failures to refer staff to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) after reports of abuse. The report suggests that despite concerns being raised, learning and changes to practice have not taken place. This must change.
Individuals and families have been impacted and harmed by this systemic failure and our thoughts are with them. We need assurance they are now safe and receiving the quality care and support they have a right to expect.
This recent coverage comes after reports of abuse and neglect of children with disabilities in Hesley Group homes between 2018 and 2021. These settings are the focus of a national safeguarding practice review, phase 1 of which has been published and phase two is expected in late spring.
Phase 1 of the national safeguarding review into Hesley Group children’s homes is here, and CBF’s statement on the review here.
The issues highlighted will no doubt be distressing and worrying for families and individuals – please see our resources for information and sources of support.
Resources on our website
The CBF has information available for anyone who has concerns about the issues raised which can be found here:
Family Support Service
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this statement, you can call the Family Support Service on 0300 666 0126
Or email us at support@thecbf.org.uk
We are open at the following times:
Monday – Thursday: 9am – 5pm
Friday: 9am – 3pm
We offer information about challenging behaviour to anyone who provides support to a child, young person or adult with a severe learning disability. We can also signpost you to other specialist organisations and sources of information.
Please note we are a small support service so you may not be able to get support straight away. We will support families with urgent concerns as a priority.
Professionals are also welcome to contact the CBF.
On the 26th of October 2022, the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel published their findings into residential settings in Doncaster run by the Hesley Group.
On 21st February 2023, NHS England published a much-delayed report on the safety and wellbeing of all people with a learning disability and autistic people who were detained in inpatient units on 31st October 2021.
