More than 400 reports of homophobic abuse in care homes have been made to a helpline over the last four years – as experts say the real number of incidents is likely to be much higher.

Some 246 whistleblowers and 177 partners of victims have contacted Compassion in Care’s helpline, with 392 of them feeling the relevant authorities failed them.

Some have described residents being physically assaulted, while one person reported they had been told their partner would ‘burn in hell’ because they were gay.

Advocates have called for greater recognition and acceptance of LGBTQ+ identities in care homes, so all members of the community can benefit from group sessions.

One anonymous reporter told the Compassion in Care helpline: ‘My partner of over 40 years was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

‘It was after they had been in the home about three weeks when I noticed hostility from three particular staff members.

‘These three staff would hang around in the hallway near my partner’s room and there would be very loud laughter.’

They added: ‘I was told I should not be visiting my partner, that they would soon die and burn in hell for being gay.’

Staff members have also been forced to report abuse they have witnessed.

One reported: ‘I had only been working night shifts for a couple of days when I witnessed the most awful abuse. The night staff called me into a resident’s bedroom and told me he was gay and verbally abused him.

‘Later I was in the laundry room when I heard this man screaming, and I saw through the half open door two staff repeatedly hit the man in the groin area.

‘I reported it to the manager the next morning, but nothing happened. The two abusive night staff turned on me and threatened me, they said the manager was God-fearing like them and to keep my mouth shut.’

Experts fear this is just the ‘tip of the iceberg’, as many victims either do not come forward or ‘retreat back into the closet’ when moving into a care home.

Dr Paul Willis, associate professor in social work, told Metro.co.uk: ‘It is difficult to know how many LGBTQ+ people there are in nursing homes, as they can often retreat back into the closet and experience hostility.

‘A lot of older people are already vulnerable, they are living with disabilities, and they struggle to advocate for themselves.

‘I expect that is a low estimate.’

Now more staff training and better screening is needed to make sure all care givers are accepting and inclusive.

Berkeley Wilde, CEO of the Diversity Trust, said: ‘Staff training is very important. Nursing homes are employing people from places where homosexuality is viewed very differently.

‘We live in a heteronormative world, where everyone is assumed to be straight, and this is very acute within care homes.

‘This is why we need music and stories from LGBTQ+ celebrated during events like memory cafes, where dementia patients can reminisce.’

The Care Quality Commission said: ‘Everyone has the right to safe, high-quality care – protecting people’s health, wellbeing and human rights, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect.

‘The care and experiences described in this report are wholly unacceptable. Providers are required by law to protect people from abuse and discrimination and we will take the strongest enforcement action where they have failed in their duties.

‘All information of concern that we receive is looked at by our inspectors, alongside a range of other information and data that help inform our regulatory activity.

‘We encourage people to let us know about concerns they may have with the care they or their loved ones receive so that we can take action when needed.’

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