Girl, 13, lived in hospital for three months while council scrambled for suitable home
13.10.2022 - 20:31
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A vulnerable teenager in Manchester's care system is being moved to an unregulated home after living in hospital for three months. The family court heard on Wednesday (October 12) that Manchester council had spent that time trying to find a suitable home for the 13-year-old.
The youngster - who is at risk of suicide - had self-harmed, fled the ward and assaulted staff during her time in hospital, the Guardian reports. She also suffered a physical assault in hospital by a worker who was later dismissed.
Legislation states that children in the care system up to the age of 15 must be placed in regulated accommodation, which is registered with Ofsted. But having been unable to find somewhere suitable since she was medically fit for discharge in the summer, the council asked judge Mr Justice Poole to allow her to stay at an unregulated home.
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According to the Guardian, the judge considered that the placement was now the girl's 'only hope' of being discharged from hospital, while she had expressed a desire to move to a placement near her home. But the council had been unable to find a registered home for her - with 11 private providers also unable to offer her a home, fearing prosecution.
Paul Marshall, strategic director of children's services for Manchester council, told the Manchester Evening News : "As His Honour Judge Poole acknowledged, this 13-year-old girl's circumstances reflect a national shortage of provision for children with very complex needs and who require more specialist support and skilled staff. We are absolutely committed to meeting her needs, serving her best interests and all professionals involved agree that
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