A secure children’s home in Peterborough has been rocked by damning findings from inspectors, who uncovered unlawful restraint, physical abuse and what they describe as “serious and widespread failures” in safeguarding.
Reports by Ofsted into Clare Lodge — run by Peterborough City Council — reveal a service struggling to protect some of the most vulnerable children in the country.
Inspectors concluded that “leaders and managers have not maintained effective oversight and have been unaware of some significant incidents that have occurred,” raising serious concerns about safety at the home.
Unlawful restraint and ‘therefore unlawful practice’
Among the most serious findings was the use of restraint in situations where it was not legally justified.
Ofsted found that “children are sometimes physically restrained for compliance rather than for legitimate safety reasons,” with staff using “holds that are not in line with agreed practice.”
Inspectors highlighted specific incidents, including staff using “unapproved restraint techniques” and intervening in situations that did not meet the legal threshold.
Their conclusion was stark: “Neither of these incidents met the threshold for the use of physical intervention, and such actions are therefore unlawful practice.”
The watchdog also warned that failures to provide medical checks after restraint “does not ensure that children are adequately safeguarded or that their health and well-being are monitored effectively.”
Abuse by agency staff and an ‘unsafe and harmful culture’
Inspectors also uncovered shocking incidents involving agency workers.
“Some children have been subject to physical abuse by agency staff,” the report states, describing one incident where a worker “pulled and dragged a child and threw items multiple times at the child.”
Even more concerning was the response of other staff.
Ofsted found that colleagues failed to intervene during dangerous situations captured on CCTV, describing this as “extremely poor and unsafe practice.”
The report adds: “This represents a serious safeguarding failure and contributes to an unsafe and harmful culture in the home.”
Leadership failures and ‘serious and widespread failures’
Leadership at Clare Lodge came under sustained criticism across three inspections.
In its full inspection, Ofsted judged leadership and management to be inadequate, citing “serious and widespread failures.”
Inspectors found that staff lacked “professional curiosity” and highlighted a case where a manager witnessed a serious incident but “failed to take appropriate action to safeguard a child.”
The reports also revealed a disconnect between recorded incidents and what inspectors later observed on CCTV — raising concerns about oversight and accountability.
Child left to self-harm in near-fatal incident
One of the most concerning cases highlighted in the reports involved a child known to be at high risk of self-harm.
Despite clear instructions for close supervision, the child was left in a lounge for an extended period while staff relied on CCTV monitoring.
During this time, the child attempted self-harm and became unresponsive, requiring emergency hospital treatment.
Inspectors identified this as a major safeguarding failure — made more serious by the fact that a centre manager walked past the area twice without intervening.
Children ‘do not feel valued or respected’
Inspectors also found that day-to-day care fell short of basic standards of dignity.
“Children do not feel valued or respected,” the report states, noting that staff were not always sensitive to how children wished to be addressed, including their preferred pronouns.
This, Ofsted said, breached standards requiring children to be treated with dignity and respect.
Neglected environment a ‘longstanding concern’
The physical condition of the home also came under fire.
Bedrooms were found to contain “a significant amount of negative and worrying writing,” including inappropriate language.
Inspectors said the failure to address this before new children moved in meant the environment “feels neglected and does not indicate to children that they are valued.”
The issue was described as “a longstanding concern” that leaders had failed to resolve.
Failures to report incidents undermine trust
Ofsted also criticised the home for failing to properly report serious incidents.
“This failure to report quickly in a transparent manner undermines confidence that the provider is operating openly and in accordance with regulatory expectations,” inspectors said.
Weak systems repeated despite warnings
The reports highlight repeated failures in care planning and recruitment — issues that had already been raised in previous inspections.
Requirements to improve care planning, ensure cohesive support and strengthen recruitment checks were restated after not being met.
This pattern of repetition suggests systemic issues that have not been effectively addressed.
Staffing pressures behind the crisis
Inspectors acknowledged that staffing challenges have played a role in the home’s difficulties.
High turnover and reliance on agency workers have contributed to training gaps, inconsistent care and weak oversight.
Occupancy fell to around half capacity in the year before the full inspection, as the home lacked sufficient staff to safely support children with complex needs.
Early signs of improvement — but ‘not yet embedded’
Despite the scale of the problems, Ofsted did identify some progress.
Inspectors noted improvements in restraint monitoring, staff training and quality assurance systems, as well as the introduction of a new intervention team.
Children also reported enjoying activities and spending time with staff.
However, Ofsted repeatedly warned that these changes are “at an early stage” and “not yet embedded.”
A unique national service under pressure
Clare Lodge, based in Glinton, holds a unique role as the UK’s only all-female welfare-only secure children’s home.
It is designed to support girls whose risks are so severe that they require restrictions on their liberty for their own safety.
But the latest findings raise urgent questions about whether the home is currently able to meet that responsibility.
The challenge facing Peterborough City Council
The reports present a stark challenge for Peterborough City Council.
After a decline from a “good” rating in 2023 to “inadequate” in 2026, the council must now rebuild trust in a service that plays a critical national role.
The home has been at 50% occupancy in the last 12 months. It has capacity or up to 16 girls aged between 10 and 17.
“This is due to ongoing recruitment to bring staffing up to full complement and to ensuring that staffing levels are sufficient to provide care and support for children with complex needs,” says Ofsted who has given the home a March 23rd deadline to improve.
Ofsted’s findings leave little room for doubt: safeguarding must improve — and quickly.
In a statement, Cllr Katy Cole, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “We acknowledge receipt of the report and accept responsibility for the concerns raised regarding Clare Lodge.
“We are taking Ofsted’s feedback extremely seriously, and steps are already being taken to make the necessary improvements to the facility.
“As Cabinet Member, I want to emphasise that we are all corporate parents and I take that responsibility seriously.
“We remain dedicated to further developing Clare Lodge and delivering a high standard of care for the vulnerable young girls who reside there, ensuring they are supported, protected, and given a voice. I am committed to ensuring that every child in this city is treated with the respect and care that I would want for my own children.”
