A children's home in Liverpool has been strongly criticised by Ofsted for "significant failures in leadership and management" that exposed a child to potential harm. A report from the watchdog details multiple incidents where a child left the facility undetected and was later found by police in dangerous locations, including near a motorway bridge.
The home, operated by private company Sanitas Cura Ltd, was subject to two emergency inspections in August. The findings, published on September 27, outline serious concerns regarding ineffective safety measures, poor staff judgement, and a failure to manage known risks to the child in its care.
Key Takeaways
- An Ofsted report identified "serious and widespread concerns" at a Liverpool children's home operated by Sanitas Cura Ltd.
- A child repeatedly left the home undetected and was found by police in dangerous locations.
- Inspectors found that staff purchased vapes for the child, which Ofsted described as poor judgement and a lack of safeguarding awareness.
- The report concluded there was a "significant failure in leadership and management" at the facility.
- Sanitas Cura Ltd was issued with a six-point improvement plan to address the failings.
Initial Inspection Reveals Serious Safety Breaches
Ofsted conducted an assurance inspection at the unnamed Liverpool home on August 22 following a specific concern raised about its safeguarding practices. The facility provides care for one child who may have social and emotional difficulties.
The report detailed how the child was able to leave the home without staff knowledge on several occasions. According to inspectors, the child used cutlery to disable window locks, bypassing the home's security.
The report states: “On multiple occasions, the police returned the child to the home after finding them in dangerous locations near a motorway bridge.” Despite staff searching the area after these incidents, Ofsted found that their actions “did not prevent the child from leaving or reduce the risks.”
Ineffective Security Measures
Electronic alarm systems designed to alert staff when a child left the premises were found to be ineffective. Although a new system was introduced by the manager, the child was able to leave again by breaking a window lock, demonstrating that the updated safety measures were still inadequate.
Ofsted noted that following this latest breach, “No further actions were taken to improve security or reduce the risks of the child leaving the home unsupervised.”
Concerns Over Staff Judgement and Training
The inspection report also highlighted a significant lapse in professional judgement regarding the child's health and well-being. Inspectors found that managers and staff failed to challenge a decision allowing the child to have vapes.
“Staff were advised that they could purchase them and did so, which put the child at risk and demonstrated poor judgement and a lack of safeguarding awareness. This exposed the child to potential harm to their health,” the report stated.
This action was seen as undermining efforts to promote the child’s safety. Furthermore, Ofsted identified a failure to respond to the child's emotional distress. Concerns about the child's emotional state and self-harming behaviours were reportedly not addressed in a timely or effective manner.
This inaction contributed to a serious incident where staff were unable to safely enter the child's bedroom to offer support. The report noted this situation “had the potential to result in severe harm to the child.” Inspectors concluded that staff lacked the necessary training and skills to manage these complex risks.
Follow-Up Visit Finds Continued Failings
Due to the “serious and widespread concerns” identified on August 22, Ofsted inspectors returned for a second monitoring visit just five days later, on August 27.
During this follow-up, inspectors found that while a new safety plan had been created, it was not working. The plan included measures for constant supervision and the use of waking night staff, but Ofsted confirmed it had not prevented further incidents.
Lack of Compliance and Accountability
The August 27 report raised further questions about staff adherence to safety protocols. It stated, “There is evidence that safety plans are not being consistently followed. This raises concerns about staff compliance and accountability in implementing agreed strategies to reduce risk.”
Crucially, essential training for staff had still not been completed. The report specifically mentioned that training in managing ligature risks, a critical skill given the child's needs, was outstanding. This gap in training left both the child and staff in a vulnerable position.
'Significant Failure in Leadership'
In its final assessment, Ofsted delivered a stark conclusion about the home's management. The watchdog determined that the persistent inability to address known dangers constituted a major leadership breakdown.
The report concluded: “The lack of proactive and effective measures to reduce known risks demonstrates a significant failure in leadership and management.”
It added that leaders had not ensured that appropriate risk management procedures were in place or were being followed consistently by staff. Ofsted stated this failure “places children at continued risk and undermines efforts to safeguard their welfare effectively.”
Required Improvements
As a result of the findings, inspectors issued a six-point improvement plan. This legal notice details the statutory requirements the company must comply with. The actions are mandated under several regulations, including:
- The Care Standards Act 2000
- The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015
- The ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’
When approached for a statement regarding the Ofsted reports, a legal representative for Sanitas Cura Ltd advised that the company did not wish to respond.