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Salford Children's Home Fails; Youngsters Unprotected
7 Oct
Summary
- Children's home went from 'outstanding' to 'inadequate' in all areas.
- Staff failed to search for missing children and manage risks.
- One child was moved due to staff's inability to ensure safety.
A children's home in Salford, operated by Cambian Childcare Ltd, has been downgraded from 'outstanding' to 'inadequate' across all areas by Ofsted.
Inspectors identified serious and widespread failures, stating that the experiences of children were poor and their progress was hindered. Specific concerns included staff not actively searching for children who went missing and inadequate management of substance misuse risks.
Concerns about staffing consistency were highlighted, with five staff members having left since the last inspection. This led to a lack of stable relationships for the children, as staff from another home provided support.
Leadership problems were also evident, with most staff lacking relevant qualifications. In one instance, a child was moved from the home due to escalating concerns and staff's inability to ensure their safety, causing further distress.
Cambian Childcare Ltd acknowledged the issues, attributing them to significant management and staff changes. They stated that these problems have since been addressed, and a subsequent reinspection by Ofsted has led to an upgraded rating, with a new report pending.
