Dame Hannah Rogers centre for disabled probed by police

A centre for children with disabilities is being investigated by police amid concerns over safeguarding.

Dame Hannah Rogers Trust care home in Ivybridge, Devon, is being probed by Devon and Cornwall Police.

The centre's trust said it followed a referral it made about the unit, which can accommodate about 40 students with physical and learning difficulties.

Ofsted has temporarily suspended services at the residential and short break unit.

'Very tough'

"We have suspended the children's home registration while further enquiries are carried out," a spokesman for the schools regulator said.

It added the suspension would last until at least 16 September, after which it could be renewed if necessary.

One parent told the BBC the announcement was a "complete shock".

Jane Raca, whose 15-year-old son has attended the centre since 2008 and has been a governor, said: "It will be very, very tough for the families whose children are here."

Devon County Council said all social care and health authorities who funded placements at the centre had been informed and "are working together to plan alternative care arrangements".

The Dame Hannah Rogers Trust said it had "reported a potential safeguarding issue to the police and as a result there have been subsequent, multi-agency investigations".

The trust said: "This is very upsetting for everyone involved and our priority now is to work closely with the agencies involved to ensure that this is resolved as quickly as possible and we are able to open the service again."

All its other services, including adult services, would continue as normal, it added.