Commons Sense

House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement

Independent Report on Hesley Group Children’s Homes

26 October 2022 · Department for Education

Proposed by Gillian Keegan Con Chichester

Children & FamiliesSafeguarding & DBS

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

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At a glance

Key points

  • Independent review into safeguarding children with disabilities in residential settings is addressed, focusing on abuse and safeguarding failures at Hesley Group homes in Doncaster.
  • The minister commits to urgent action to improve the system for vulnerable children, including reviewing the role of LADO.
  • Ofsted is asked to take urgent action where safeguarding concerns are identified.

Issue summary

The statement addresses the independent review into safeguarding children with disabilities in residential settings, focusing on abuse and safeguarding failures at Hesley Group homes in Doncaster.

Action requested

The minister commits to urgent action to improve the system for vulnerable children, including reviewing the role of LADO and convening a roundtable discussion with providers. Ofsted is asked to take urgent action where safeguarding concerns are identified.

Key facts

  • The Hesley Group owns three dual-registered children’s homes/residential special schools in Doncaster.
  • Following whistleblowing referrals, Ofsted suspended the provision's registration and moved 60 children to alternative settings by May 2021.
  • Phase one of the review outlines complex interactions between SEND and children’s social care services, highlighting placement quality, commissioning, and oversight challenges.
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