Child went missing from care home without staff noticing

A child went missing from a Merseyside care home overnight without staff noticing, an Ofsted report has revealed.

Inspectors said the incident, involving a care home in Sefton, was so serious it left the child at “significant risk”.

The incident came to light after an Ofsted inspection in June identified a number of serious and widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children.

The home, which is not named, is owned and operated by private provider Pelican Care Group Ltd (PCGL) which said it was an “isolated safeguarding incident” which had led to the temporary suspension of the home and changes had been made.

According to Ofsted, the facility provides care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

The assessment in June followed an earlier inspection in April when it had been rated “requires improvement to be good”.

Inspectors confirmed two children were living at the home at the time of the assessment during which the safeguarding issue was revealed.

The report said the child who had gone missing overnight had a care plan which included provision for monitoring throughout the night.

Records at the home had indicated those checks had been completed, “which was inaccurate and misleading”, the Ofsted report said.

It also said the child had attempted to contact staff during the night, but the home’s phone was not answered.

The child then contacted the police who were also unable to reach staff. Inspectors said this had “left the child at significant risk”.

A number of other failings were also found in the assessment including “unsafe and ineffective” management arrangements; failure to identify “significant incidents” and notify all relevant professionals; and insufficient staffing and training.

A PCGL representative said the provider fully acknowledged the findings of the report and said it will work with the regulator to make improvements.

“Unfortunately, an isolated safeguarding incident led to the temporary suspension of the home. It’s nothing that has ever happened before,” the representative said.

“We’ve reflected on the incident since and whilst it will take time to recover as a small provider, we will do so.”