We last reported on abuse at the Hesley Group homes including Fullerton House and Wilsic Hall in January 2023. At that time the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel had highlighted appalling standards of care at the Hesley run institutions and had commissioned a phase 1 report to “make sense of how and why a significant number of children with disabilities and complex needs came to suffer very serious abuse and neglect”.

Although the initial complaints arose out of abuse at the Hesley run institutions, the failings were considered serious enough to be referred to the Practice Review Panel for a national review of children accommodated in similar settings throughout England to be carried out.

 The Review Panel have now completed the phase 2 report which sets out what can be learnt from these failings and outlines what changes should be made to the oversight and regulation of all residential setting for children with disabilities and complex health needs. The foreword to that report noted that:

 A striking feature of how things work now is that too often agencies and professionals operate within their own sphere of specialist responsibility rather than integrating and connecting their work with that of others. A major message from this report is that there must be strong shared ownership for this group of children across local authorities, health commissioners, schools, and across different government departments. It went on to say that:

 The voices and experiences of children with disabilities and complex health needs, and their families, are often given only a brief footnote in policy and practice discourses, with their particular needs often being subsumed under those of all children. We need to recognise the distinctive nature of the needs and lives of this group of children whilst fully respecting their rights to equality and inclusion.

 The recommendations covered some structural change, such as for children to have access to an independent advocate. But other recommendations were targeted at staffing and financial issues within the sector, such as improving the quality and range of provision in schools and within community settings. Those recommendations overlap with longstanding calls for staff within the care sector to be paid, valued and offered career progression on equal terms to those within the health sector. There is currently the highest recorded vacancy rate within the social care workforce according to the Kings Fund, at over 165,000 unfilled jobs. Of course, none of this explains the shocking treatment of children, but part of the solution will involve filling those vacancies with caring, skilled and well motivated staff.

 The revelations of abuse also triggered a large investigation by South Yorkshire Police, known as Operation Lemur Alpha. They continue to appeal to anyone (or their family members) who has complaints about their time at Fullerton House or Wilsic Hall to make contact with them. Those investigations are at a relatively early stage and we will report further as they develop and if any prosecutions are brought.

Switalskis continue to assist those abused to make compensation claims and anyone who wishes to make such a claim should make contact with us. Call on 0800 138 4700 or email help@switalskis.com