Children with learning disabilities are locked in their bedrooms and staff shout at each other at a Huddersfield children’s home.

Those are shock findings by Ofsted inspectors who found a catalogue of failures at the Edgerton home and branded it as Inadequate in all categories.

When inspectors visited in July, they discovered that the house fridge had not been working for two weeks, medications were not properly stored, children were locked in their rooms and the kitchen was locked at night. They reported managers shouting at staff, and ongoing maintenance and cleaning issues had not been addressed

A year ago the home, which cannot be identified, was rated as Good, but inspectors flagged several issues when they revisited in February.

The latest report highlights the decline in standards for the three young people aged between nine and 17 who live there.

It states: “Children and young people are restricted at certain times of the day from moving freely around their home. The kitchen door is routinely locked at night.

“Some children and young people are locked in their bedrooms during the time other children are in crisis.

“Medication practice is poor. Procedures are not always followed and the monitoring system is ineffective. Medicine which requires storage in a fridge is placed in a cupboard. “This is because the label has not been read correctly and there is no safe fridge.

“As a result children and young people are exposed to on-going illness, as the medication is not effective. They are also at risk of upset stomach.

“Children and young people have been without a working fridge for 14 days. It was highlighted it was broken, however there was no replacement or no attempt to fix it until two weeks later... no fresh food could be stored at a safe temperature.

“A requirement has not been met in relation to maintenance of this home. The repairs identified at last inspection have been completed, however keeping the home in good repair has not been achieved.

“Children and young people report they do not like it when senior managers shout at staff. This leaves them exposed to inappropriate adult behaviours. It can potentially impact negatively on children and young people’s emotional wellbeing.”

“Significant incidents are not always recorded. During times of crisis some children and young people are left alone due to staffing levels.

“All children and young people involved in crisis situations do not have the opportunity to explore their feelings with staff. This potentially leaves them feeling unsettled and alone.”

The report added that finding an outside place in education for some of the children had taken up to 18 months.

Inspectors summarised: “There are serious and widespread failures that mean children and young people are not protected, their welfare is not promoted or safeguarded and their care and experiences are poor.

“On the whole this home is not achieving its commitment to children and young people outlined in the Statement of Purpose.”

They have laid down a number of statutory requirements for the home to meet.