Police investigating claims carers were cruel to children at special needs residential school in Bristol
COPS are probing claims that carers behaved cruelly to children at a special needs residential school.
Fifty youngsters were dramatically moved to other educational centres across the UK.
Two staff members were suspended following the investigation at Aurora St Christopher’s School in Bristol.
One distraught parent told The Sun: “My daughter has cerebral palsy and epilepsy and is now refusing to take her medicine after being transported to another school. She is so anxious.
“The school won’t tell us what has happened but it is deeply worrying.”
‘DEEPLY WORRYING’
The investigation centres on two of the 300 staff at the school following an incident in ‘Sea Mills House’.
The residential area of the site was closed, but the school was still open for lessons for day pupils.
The £250,000 a year residence caters for “severely disabled” youngsters between 13 and 19.
One mum said: “I had a call from a duty social worker on Monday – she said ‘an incident’ has occurred and police were on site.
“And then by Tuesday my daughter was being housed at a respite centre. She had been at St Christopher’s for five years and now feels separated from her family.
“The school just said ‘don’t speak to anyone’. It’s not good enough.”
TWO STAFF MEMBERS SUSPENDED
St Christopher’s opened in 1945 and serves pupils from around the country who need round-the-clock care for disabilities.
It was threatened with closure in 2016 until accepting an offer to stay afloat from education providers The Aurora Group.
Avon & Somerset Police told The Sun: “We’re investigating allegations of child cruelty offences relating to a special education school in the north Bristol area.
“We’re working with our multi-agency partners to ensure that safeguarding measures are being put in place and Ofsted has been notified. Parents have been contacted.
“Some members of staff have been suspended while our investigation continues.
“We cannot go into further details at this stage for legal reasons.
“If you want to speak to the police, or provide any information relating to this inquiry, please call us on 101 quoting reference 5219168010.”
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Aurora St Christopher’s School said: “We are deeply concerned about the serious allegations against a small number of staff who were immediately suspended. They were reported to the authorities straight away in line with our safeguarding procedures.
“We are now focused on doing all that we can to support the children, young people, their families and carers, and the many caring and dedicated staff who are affected during this very difficult time.
“We have been asked by the authorities not to give any further details to protect the integrity of the investigation.”
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