Read on Twitter
Another Witherslack children's home has been shut by Ofsted (the second one this week) because of serious risks to children who live there. https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50153294
This one is also in Warwickshire, next door to a home that was shut down following an emergency inspection which discovered atrocious living conditions. You can read about here https://twitter.com/MartinBarrow/status/1298312567601999875?s=20
This is home to seven children in care. Yet the company has failed to provide a "clean and suitable space to sleep."
The lack of care and denial of dignity is shocking.
There are not enough staff to provide basic care. Yet Witherslack is a multi-million pound business, and is probably charging £30,000-plus a week to accommodate these seven children.
It is clear this home is focused on filling beds, meeting targets and turning a profit. Wellbeing or love don't come into it.
Last year Witherslack earned profits of £11 million, having charged local authorities £75 million for the care of vulnerable children and young people.
The company is owned by a private equity firm domiciled in an offshore tax haven.
The company is owned by a private equity firm domiciled in an offshore tax haven.
Companies like Witherslack look to the Independent Children's Homes Association lobby group to represent their interests. The government is more likely to listen to the ICHA than to children and young people.
Jersey has now appointed the ICHA to review its children's homes.
Jersey, beware.
Jersey, beware.
