Private-owned children’s home shut down after Ofsted warns children may be at risk

A school children’s home in Doncaster has been forced to close after an Ofsted inspection ruled that the children may be at risk of harm.

Fullerton House School offers education and care for those aged between 8 and 19 with complex needs but has now had its registration suspended whilst the children’s regulator completes its 'risk of harm to children' investigation.

In a statement, Ofsted confirmed that the residential setting had been temporarily closed for at least six weeks whilst the investigation was carried out.

“We can confirm that we have suspended the registration of Fullerton House School Children’s home due to safeguarding concerns,” said an Ofsted spokesperson.

"We cannot provide any further details while investigations are being carried out,” they concluded.

Fullerton House School operates as part of the Hesley Group of residential homes that provide care and educational support for children and young people living with autism and/or other complex needs.

The group offers its services to local councils and posted £54 million worth of revenue its most recent financial statement in December 2019.

Writing on Twitter, journalist Martin Barrow suggested that the situation underpinned wide-spread concerns over structural issues within the children’s social care market.

“Which of the seven separate inquiries into children's services now underway will even begin to understand the structural issues that need to be addressed?” Barrow concluded.

A spokesperson for the Hesley Group said that the safety and wellbeing of the young people within their care was their “highest priority.”

“Our primary focus at this time is to ensure that all the young people at the home are properly supported and cared for,” said the spokesperson.

"We are working closely with parents and families, local authorities and social workers to ensure that our young people are moved to appropriate accommodation during this suspension.

“The school remains open and will continue to work with its students, providing them education, support and care.

“We take the matters identified by Ofsted very seriously and are working with the authorities on the investigation to address and resolve the matters that have been raised,” they concluded.