In response to the emerging evidence of abusive practices at a London special school between 2014 and 2017, we have highlighted the need for urgent action to implement recommendations for the separate review by the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel.
Amanda Allard, Director of the Council for Disabled Children and Strategic Director of the National Children’s Bureau, said:
“The abhorrent practices that took place at Whitefield Special School between 2014 and 2017, are a stark reminder of how vulnerable disabled children and young people can be to abuse and harm at the hands of those meant to care for them. The brutal misuse of restraint, isolation, and physical force often arises from a crisis in providing the right workforce for the job, with widespread difficulties in recruiting, retaining, and training care workers, coupled with understaffing.
“When the failings at special schools run by the Hesley Group emerged more recently, we warned that unless action was taken at every level of the system, incidents like these were destined to repeat themselves. The Government has responded to our recommendations, outlining plans to protect disabled young people with complex overlapping health needs. However, the video footage from Whitefield Special School is a chilling reminder of the urgency in implementing these measures.
“For too many children and young people in special schools, life can feel like imprisonment, with little contact with their home communities and loved ones. Due to the extent of their disabilities and health needs, their cries for help can be easily dismissed when they are subjected to abuse. Alongside improving the workforce, we urge the Government to prioritise the creation of new advocacy standards to ensure the voices of disabled children and young people with complex needs are heard and acted upon by the professionals responsible for their welfare.”