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Is this a "child protection" issue? H&S?

4 replies

helptofriend · 25/06/2022 10:54

Wonder if anyone has any knowledge - not a super serious issue (probably) but concerning: a non-British acquaintance of mine, who does not live in the UK, has a child who is on a language course in the UK. The children (aged 14-16) were supposed to live in some school's halls of residence but for some reason they've instead been put in a hotel. It's an awful place!! Ratings on tripadvisor are horrible. Their rooms had not been cleaned and there are broken, stained curtains, dried stains on window sills, paint going everywhere etc etc. The organisation has admitted that the hotel 'didn't meet their standards initially' but say that things have been sorted (they haven't, after a week).

This morning I learnt that many of the children have had money stolen from their rooms, not people who had money in locked suitcases but other ones - loads of money for several of them.

My acquaintance wondered if I know anything about options to report the hotel/the organisation to "Health & Safety" in the council in question, or if it might be a child protection issue, since the organisation doesn't seem to do anything. Does anyone have any idea? I'm trying to figure out if there are still other people staying in the hotel too, and if that could be a child protection issue if so. They are 14-16 so not young children but still.

Any suggestions much appreciated :-) I'm really out of my depth.

OP posts:
EwwSprouts · 25/06/2022 11:03

Trading standards in the county or London borough the hotel is located in.

Email straight to the chief executive/chief operating officer of the organisation providing the course. You need a paper trail.

Given your description of the property I would also be worried about fire risk. and whether all exits are clear, extinguishers serviced etc. The local fire service will inspect if informed of poor maintenance.

cottagegardenflower · 25/06/2022 11:04

If you call social services they may give you some direction?

TabithaTittlemouse · 25/06/2022 11:05

Surely police for the stolen money?
who is the language school governed by?

helptofriend · 25/06/2022 11:12

Thank you very much for your quick responses :-) Yes, the money thing will be reported to the police, they were thinking if there are additional authorities that could 'threaten' the organisation and/or the hotel since they don't seem to care (more than sending many e-mails confirming that 'everything has been sorted now' :-/ ) Hopefully they will immediately move the children now but not sure yet.

They have contacted the head of the organisation in their country but they just 'escalate' it down, 'bla bla is now being taken care of' etc. One of the parents is a lawyer so they will definitely complain/ask for a refund afterwards (the organisation has admitted that things haven't been great and more).

I was thinking of fire - will look into that, thanks for the suggestion :-)

Also social services - maybe I should suggest NSPCC helpline or so.

Thank you all very much!

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