A child was the victim of a serious sexual assault while in the care of the private company Hexagon Care Services, a new Ofsted report into a children's home has revealed. The service served immediate notice to end her placement while she was recovering in hospital. 1/

The Ofsted report into the home in Lancashire for six children can be found here https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50154874
It reveals catastrophic failings in care, which have directly led to physical and emotional harm to vulnerable children. 2/

The main findings are here: 3/

Once again, questions are raised about the 'independent visitor' system (these visitors are paid for by the provider). 4/

Hexagon withheld information about the serious sexual assault. Ofsted only became aware by accident. 5/

Last year Hexagon was paid almost £25 million by local authorities to care for vulnerable children. It made a profit of around £1.5 million. 6/

On the same day, Ofsted has cited a second Hexagon home for a series of failings which put children at risk, including unauthorised and frequent use of restraint. This home is also in Lancashire.

https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50154877

Privatisation of children's homes and foster care is putting hundreds of vulnerable children and young people at risk.

It doesn't have to be this way.

Oh look, Hexagon is a member of the Independent Children's Homes Association, the Government's partner of choice when looking at issues concerning children in care. https://www.icha.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/ICHA-HANDBOOK-2019-V1-FINAL.pdf

The ICHA is bankrolled by private equity.

Hexagon's corporate slogan.

You can't make this shit up.