Safeguarding children with disabilities and complex health needs in residential settings

The Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel’s national safeguarding practice review into safeguarding children with disabilities and complex needs in residential settings in England.¹

The review was divided into two phases, the first looking at learning at the local level, and the second looking at implications at the national level.  

The government published its response to phase two of the review in December 2023.²

Our briefing summarises findings from the two phases of the review and the government's response.

• Phase one was published as a report, in October 2022, looked at allegations of abuse and neglect of children in private residential settings in Doncaster that were operated by the Hesley Group.
• Phase two report, published in April 2023, looked at systemic issues arising from the first report; and recommendations to improve the lives of children with disabilities and complex health needs living in residential settings.
• The government’s response addresses the panel’s recommendations in phase two and emphasises the need to keep disabled children in residential settings safe.