A small children’s home operating in Bury has been found to have ‘serious and widespread failures’ leaving a youngster unprotected and at risk of exploitation.
A damning Ofsted inspection relates to a residential home operated in the borough by private care provider 4 Pure Heart Limited.
Inspectors said staff at the home did not ensure a child received immediate medical attention after an incident and, when they did speak to a medical professional, did not follow the advice given.
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Staff did not have access to a child’s care plans and on one occasion when the child went missing, there were significant delays in staff searching areas where the child was known to spend time.
The delays contributed to the child being missing for a 48-hour period during which they were exposed to and suffered harm.
4 Pure Heart Limited is registered to provide care for up to two children with social and emotional difficulties.
At the time of the inspection in November 2022, there was one child, of secondary school age, living in the home.
An Ofsted inspection report published last month, said: “There are serious shortfalls in safeguarding practice, care planning and the leadership and management of the home. These weaknesses have had a significant negative effect on the child’s safety.
“The manager and staff do not understand the child’s individual needs because they do not have access to the child’s relevant plans, such as local authority care plans. When the child made a complaint about staff, it was not sufficiently addressed.
“The child told staff and the manager that they had felt scared due to the actions of the staff member. Despite this, no reassurances were given to help them feel safe or repair the relationship. Failing to listen contributed to them feeling unsafe in their home.
“Managers and staff do not demonstrate an understanding of the risks from exploitation. Managers and staff did not demonstrate any professional curiosity when they found concerning information on the child’s mobile phone.”
The report added that door sensors in the home and tracking applications on the child’s mobile phone were being used without the required permission or risk assessment in place.
Ofsted said that they have now placed restrictions on any more children being sent to the home.
The report said: “Due to the safeguarding concerns, Ofsted is of the view that if further children move into the home it would compromise the safety of the child already living in the home as well as any new children moving in. Ofsted has issued a notice restricting accommodation.”
The home was rated inadequate in all areas in the report and a list of urgent improvements was provided to the home by Ofsted to enable it to improve and meet statutory requirements.
4 Pure Heart Limited is registered by Companies House website at an address in Altrincham.
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