Switalskis continue to act for families bringing claims against the Hesley Group, following years of abuse, neglect and mistreatment by staff. Many families are still seeking answers about what happened and why no one has been held accountable.

Families of vulnerable children placed in Hesley Group’s residential schools were previously informed that no criminal charges will be brought against staff accused of serious abuse, despite a four‑year police investigation and extensive evidence of harm. For many parents, this decision has intensified concerns about how such mistreatment was allowed to continue unchecked.

What happened at the Hesley homes?

Three children’s homes, Fullerton House, Wilsic Hall and Wheatley House, were run by the Hesley Group with the purpose of caring for vulnerable children, many of whom were non‑verbal. Children were placed there from across the country, often living far from their families. According to the BBC, local authorities that placed their children in these Doncaster homes were charged around £250,000 per child per year for their placements.

More than 100 reports of abuse and neglect were recorded. BBC investigations revealed internal documents detailing mistreatment and they received comments from a support worker who said she had “cried, begged and pleaded” when trying to report abuse to managers at Fullerton House. Despite repeated reports and concerns, Ofsted continued to rate the homes as “good”.

The homes were finally closed in 2021. In October 2022, a national safeguarding panel concluded that children had suffered “very serious abuse and neglect” and described it as “profoundly shocking” that this was able to occur.

For those affected, the expectation was that criminal accountability would follow. Instead, South Yorkshire Police announced that no action would be taken against staff members.

The lack of accountability raises questions about:

• The adequacy of safeguarding systems
• The role and effectiveness of authorities in preventing harm
• Whether institutional abuse is being properly identified and addressed

How can Switalskis help?

Survivors of abuse deserve justice. That includes accountability, but also access to compensation for the harm they have suffered.

At Switalskis, our specialist abuse lawyers has decades of experience securing justice for survivors. We understand the emotional and legal complexities of these cases and work tirelessly to ensure our clients receive the compensation they deserve.

Our abuse claims team has successfully pursued similar cases, and we want to hear from more families affected by the Hesley Group homes. If you have been impacted and would like to discuss your experience in confidence, our abuse team can help. Call 0800 138 0458 or email help@switalskis.com .