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@martinbarrow.bsky.social

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Local authority foster carer, journalist. Sharing news and views about the care system, children and young people. Subscribe to my weekly bulletin via [email protected]

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martinbarrow.bsky.social @martinbarrow.bsky.social · 2d

The latest Week in Care is out, rounding up news and views about children’s services and the care of young people from the past seven days. Sign up via [email protected]

martinbarrow.bsky.social @martinbarrow.bsky.social · 10h

This home is currently rated ‘good’ by Ofsted

reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/2/2...

2598804 - Open - Find an Inspection Report - Ofsted

reports.ofsted.gov.uk

martinbarrow.bsky.social @martinbarrow.bsky.social · 10h

The private company Supporting Hands Care Services Ltd employed someone subject to serious criminal allegations to work in a children’s home in Halifax. When challenged, the home prioritised the wellbeing of the staff member over the child.

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martinbarrow.bsky.social @martinbarrow.bsky.social · 1d

Communities are damaged by poverty, low pay, poor housing and disinvestment in public services. Let’s talk about this.

High immigration levels damage communities, Badenoch warns www.bbc.com/news/article...

High immigration levels damage communities, Kemi Badenoch warns

The Conservative leader says society is in danger of fragmenting unless concerns are acted on.

www.bbc.com

martinbarrow.bsky.social @martinbarrow.bsky.social · 1d

London has a high number boroughs with ‘outstanding’ children’s services, with funding a key driver

Chaminda Jayanetti @cjayanetti.bsky.social · 1d

Some of London’s poorest areas could see their share of the children’s services funding formula halved under Labour’s plans to reform local government grants.

By me, for Politics Home: www.politicshome.com/news/article...

London Councils Face Losing Half Their Share Of Children's Services Funding

Some of London’s poorest areas could see their share of funding for children’s services halved under Labour’s plans to reform local government gran...

www.politicshome.com

martinbarrow.bsky.social @martinbarrow.bsky.social · 1d

Asylum hotel provider makes £180m profit despite claims of inedible food and rationed loo paper

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Asylum hotel provider makes £180m profit despite claims of inedible food and rationed loo paper

Asylum seekers and charities tell BBC of

www.bbc.co.uk

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Reposted

martinbarrow.bsky.social @martinbarrow.bsky.social · 2d

Tristone Group is a prime example of why investment firms should not be allowed anywhere near children’s homes. Here’s why 🧵

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martinbarrow.bsky.social @martinbarrow.bsky.social · 2d

Latest Ofsted report into the Premier Care Management home:

files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/5028...

files.ofsted.gov.uk

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martinbarrow.bsky.social @martinbarrow.bsky.social · 2d

Further reading: Five children's homes close after 'hotel assault'

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Coventry children's home and more close over hotel assault report

The operator's decision to shut follows Ofsted's findings that children have been at risk in Coventry.

www.bbc.co.uk

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martinbarrow.bsky.social @martinbarrow.bsky.social · 2d

In the last financial year it charged local councils £26.5 million, claiming to have places for more than 100 children and 81 adults. The company says it sees "significant opportunities" in children's services.

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martinbarrow.bsky.social @martinbarrow.bsky.social · 2d

It still owns a number of businesses in the care sector, including ProCare Wales, Sportfit Support Services, Seaside Care Homes, Beyond Limits, Juventas Services and Next Steps, as well as Premier Care.

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martinbarrow.bsky.social @martinbarrow.bsky.social · 2d

Tristone describes itself as a “buy-build-and-hold investment group”, founded on the principles of “ethical capitalism”. It was set up by Yannis Loucopoulos, with funding from Duke Capital.

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martinbarrow.bsky.social @martinbarrow.bsky.social · 2d

Ofsted said it was “significantly concerned” about children in the home, prompting a local authority to find alternative accommodation. Premier Care agreed to close the home, less than four months after it registered with Ofsted.

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martinbarrow.bsky.social @martinbarrow.bsky.social · 2d

On one occasion, staff refused to collect a child from a police station after she had been missing for several hours. In addition, senior managers were absent for several weeks, leaving children in the care of workers who did not have adequate training or experience.

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martinbarrow.bsky.social @martinbarrow.bsky.social · 2d

Now Ofsted has forced the closure of a children’s home run by Premier Care Management, another Tristone business, after inspectors raised serious safeguarding concerns, including allegations that children had been assaulted by staff.

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martinbarrow.bsky.social @martinbarrow.bsky.social · 2d

Tristone recently closed all five children’s homes run by its subsidiary Dimensions Care after Ofsted found a child was sexually assaulted by men at a hotel while living at one of its homes. Other Dimensions homes had previously been judged inadequate.

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martinbarrow.bsky.social @martinbarrow.bsky.social · 2d

Tristone Group is a prime example of why investment firms should not be allowed anywhere near children’s homes. Here’s why 🧵

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martinbarrow.bsky.social @martinbarrow.bsky.social · 2d

The latest Week in Care is out, rounding up news and views about children’s services and the care of young people from the past seven days. Sign up via [email protected]

martinbarrow.bsky.social @martinbarrow.bsky.social · 3d

“Worcestershire Children’s Services also cautioned against approving any more children’s homes in the area “given the concentration of existing Ofsted-registered provisions”.”

www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/2551262...

Children's home plan rejected over anti-social behaviour fears

PLANS to convert a house into a children’s home have been rejected.

www.worcesternews.co.uk

martinbarrow.bsky.social @martinbarrow.bsky.social · 3d

Serious concerns raised over multiple issues

martinbarrow.bsky.social @martinbarrow.bsky.social · 3d

Children’s services in Leeds may have been judged outstanding three times in a row but the council is running a children’s home which has been judged inadequate, with serious and widespread failures.