Wednesday, 24 Apr 2024

Children's home closed after youngster given 122 nuggets in one week

A residential home for children with autism has been closed after an Ofsted inspection found one child had eaten 122 chicken nuggets in a week.

Ofsted inspectors suspended Orbis Abbey Rose in Tewkesbury after branding it ‘inadequate’ in every area.

The home, which caters for 10 kids and only opened in March, reportedly charges local authorities between £75,000 and £90,000 a year for educating children on the autistic spectrum.

The damning Ofsted report, following Orbis Abbey Rose’s first inspection in November, highlighted issues such as uncleanliness, excessive junk food and allegations of assault.

It also noted one child who was found smeared in faeces, while another had consumed 122 chicken nuggets and drank 14 litres of fizzy drink every week.

The report said: ‘For some pupils, this feels like an unsafe place to be. They feel threatened by the challenging behaviour of some of their peers.

‘The quality of education is poor, expectations are too low. Too few pupils make enough gains to prepare them well for life beyond school.’

Police had been called in to help struggling staff at the home, some of whom claimed they ‘lacked the training to deal with the problems they faced’.

All of the children have since been removed from the residence, which is owned by Orbis Education and Care group based in Cardiff.

The report continued: ‘Several serious incidents have occurred since the home was registered in May 2019, for example highly dangerous behaviours by children, including smashing car windows, throwing furniture, causing extensive damage to rooms and assaulting staff.

‘On two occasions, one child was not prevented from eating wild mushrooms and another child was not prevented from misusing the internet despite both children having at least one-to-one support from staff.

‘Incidents have occurred when one child has harmed and attempted to harm other children. On one occasion, staff locked themselves and the child at risk of harm in a bathroom.

‘As a direct result of these incidents, children and staff have had to attend hospital for medical attention and the police have been required to support staff.’

Before the purchase by Orbis Education and Care group, the children’s home was previously known as Southwick Park which closed in April 2018, reports Mail Online.

Southwick Park closed after another highly critical Ofsted report in February 2018.

A spokesperson for Orbis Abbey Rose said: ‘Following a recent Ofsted inspection in November 2019, we can confirm that Ofsted have temporarily suspended the residential children’s home.

‘This is clearly a concerning matter for us and we have taken swift action to make alternate care arrangements for all of our young people during this temporary suspension.

‘Since the initial inspection we have been working closely with Ofsted to address their concerns and have put a robust improvement plan in place.’.

‘As a result, some opt out of their lessons.’

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