Children in care failed by Isle of Man services, Oftsed finds

The inspection of Manx services took place between April and May 2023

Children in care on the Isle of Man are being "failed" and services need "significant improvement", inspectors have said.

An Ofsted report said children were not being safeguarded effectively leading to further risk of exploitation.

Inspectors highlighted "significant gaps" in accommodation provision on the island, adding it was "insufficient and ineffective" for care leavers.

Manx Care said it had created an action plan to address the concerns.

Inspectors had assessed children's residential care, a children's secure unit and other accommodation sites.

They also spent time with Children's Social Care and Social Work Services between April and May 2023.

The report called for improvement in a number of areas, including services for disabled children, those at risk of exploitation and care leavers.

'Vulnerable to harm'

Ofsted said inspectors "could not ascertain whether risks for children were understood or professionally managed", adding: "Known high risks for children, such as substance misuse, child sexual exploitation and going missing, were evident and children were not safeguarded effectively".

Children at risk of exploitation were "not always fully identified, understood and assessed" putting some children at further risk of exploitation, it added.

Services were hampered by "the absence of suitable accommodation options" and many care leavers were placed in accommodation that was available rather than appropriate, the report said.

Consequently tenancies had broken down for some, leading to "periods of homelessness" and care leavers becoming "increasingly vulnerable to harm and exploitation".

Inspectors said a lack of guidance for care leavers once they turned 16 was "failing" them and a further lack of support was "significantly failing them".

One short-term home, where children were accommodated while their needs were assessed, was called ineffective.

Inspectors found disabled children on the island received "a very inconsistent service", hindered by heavy social worker caseloads.

"Too often, the interventions and services that disabled children need are either not available or are restricted in availability," they said.

Manx Care said work had already begun to make the improvements outlined on its action plan.

Julie Gibney from Children and Family Services said of the 61 actions, 26 had been completed, 27 were ongoing and eight required "significant financial input".

Among those eight was a need for a new venue for children with disabilities, care leaver support and appropriate housing solutions, she said.

Health and Social Care Minister Lawrie Hooper said the findings would form part of the "argument" to Treasury to seek more money.

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