Doncaster abuse case prompts plans for children's homes register

The panel looked into abuse allegations at Fullerton House in Doncaster run by the Hesley Group between 2018 and 2021

Plans to have a professional register of staff working in children's homes could be brought in following an investigation of alleged abuse.

A panel of experts looked into three residential homes in Doncaster run by the Hesley Group between 2018 and 2021.

A council investigation uncovered more than 100 incidents of "horrific" abuse at the homes.

The proposals call for "more substantive action" to protect children.

The Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel published recommendations in April for a more joined-up approach to the care of disabled children in care homes, warning that otherwise "appalling harm" suffered by this vulnerable group could be repeated.

In response, the children and families minister David Johnston said the Government was "exploring proposals for introducing professional registration of the children's homes workforce" and considering a national leadership programme to support recruitment of new managers.

"The panel's recommendations reinforce our determination that every child and their family should get the right support at the right time," Mr Johnston said.

"Disabled children should not be placed far from home.

"Local agencies need to work together so that children can be supported as close to home as possible, however complex their needs."

A council report found more than 100 incidents of "horrific" abuse at the three homes

While children's homes must comply with the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 when recruiting staff, and managers are required to register with Ofsted, there is no professional register for all staff, in the same way as there is for social workers in England.

Such proposals around professional registration have previously been recommended by both the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) final report and the Independent Review of Children's Social Care.

The review panel looked into three residential settings - Fullerton House, Wilsic Hall and Wheatley House - registered as children's homes and operated by the Hesley Group in Doncaster, between January 2018 and March 2021.

It found a culture of abuse and harm, including evidence of physical abuse, violence, neglect, emotional abuse and sexual harm.

Looking at the experiences of 108 children and young adults, it found that some of society's most vulnerable people had experienced "systematic and sustained" abuse and neglect over a period of more than three years, with the safety net that should have protected them proving ineffective.