Failing children's home more concerned about protecting staff than vulnerable youngster, damning report finds

A children’s home being investigated over serious child protection allegations was more concerned about protecting staff than a vulnerable youngster in its care, according to a damning new report. Ofsted inspectors found serious and/or widespread failures at the ‘inadequate’ Greater Manchester home - which cannot be named - meaning children were not protected or their welfare not promoted or safeguarded.The care and experiences of children were found to be ‘poor and they are not making progress’ at one of the five homes New Horizons (Stockport) Ltd runs in the city region. Inspectors noted that serious child protection allegations were being investigated by the appropriate authorities, albeit these did not fall under its own authority or remit.There is currently only one child living at the home whom officials, who visited in March, found had been the victim of assaults in the community. “There is a culture in the staff team to blame the child for these incidents,” the report states. “There is an emphasis on protecting the staff rather than supporting the child to make progress and have positive experiences.READ MORE: Join the FREE Manchester Evening News WhatsApp community

“They have not considered how they can keep the child safe in the community. Staff are not aware of all known risks to the child or how to appropriately identify and manage them.”Inspectors also noted that the staff team ‘fails to understand the impact of previous trauma on the child’. “Staff have not consulted with the child about his care or provided him with an advocate to ensure that his voice is heard,” the report continues.

“In addition, the child has not felt comfortable to share information with staff following an incident in the community.