Doncaster children's home taking safeguarding fears 'very seriously' after Ofsted closure

Fullerton House School Children’s Home, which cares for children with severe special educational needs, was ordered to shut by the education watchdog following concerns over pupils’ safety at the Denaby Main facility.

Hesley Group, which runs the unit for 8-19 year olds with challenging behaviours and autism, has now issued a statement following yesterday’s announcement, which has seen children at the home moved to other educational facilities while the probe takes place.

Bosses have also confirmed that the children’s home – and not the adjoining school – has been ordered to close.

A Hesley Group spokesman said: “At Fullerton House School Children’s Home the safety and wellbeing of the young people in our care is our 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. 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.”

A spokesman for Ofsted confirmed that Fullerton House had been ordered to stop childcare and said: “We can confirm that we have suspended the registration of Fullerton House School children’s home due to safeguarding concerns.

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

A statement on the Ofsted website, explaining why establishments can have registration removed, states: “Sometimes Ofsted needs to suspend a childcare provider’s registration if it believes a child or children may be at risk of harm.

"This does not always mean that the provider has done something wrong, but it does allow Ofsted time to investigate its concerns or give it or the provider time to take steps to reduce or remove any possible risk.”