Shropshire Council investigates child safety concerns raised in ITV documentary

A documentary broadcast on ITV last Wednesday raised a number of issues in relation to a number of Shropshire-based care homes.

The care homes investigated in the ‘Who Cares?’ documentary are owned and managed by the companies ‘Cambian’ and ‘Keys’, two of the largest providers of care facilities for young people in the country.

Shropshire Council first became aware of the allegations contained within the documentary the same day it aired, and the council’s safeguarding team immediately instigated appropriate investigations in line with the council’s responsibilities and safeguarding procedures.

For Shropshire Council, who commission services from these companies but do not have children at the two homes investigated, the issue relates to how the safeguarding issues were dealt with. As the two homes investigated are in Shropshire, it is the responsibility of the local authority to protect the placed children in the area.

Karen Bradshaw, director of children’s services with Shropshire Council, said: “Our priority is first and foremost the children and we will do everything within our power to address these issues as quickly and thoroughly as possible.

“We welcome any support in identifying any instance where a child is at risk. However, the issues raised in the documentary are disturbing and we will be working with colleagues from across the country to ensure the children who are in the care of these businesses is put first.

“It is important to stress that these homes are commissioned services and are not managed or overseen by Shropshire Council. However, the safety of children within Shropshire is the responsibility of the council and our investigations will be thorough and complete to find any instances where children may have been put in jeopardy.”