A PROBE into a children’s home where police investigated the alleged historic rape of a 14-year-old boy will delve further into its care practices.

The Argus exclusively revealed this week how police and council officials were set to meet on Thursday afternoon over new allegations relating to the now-closed children’s home in 251-253 Preston Road, Brighton.

The allegations of a “poor culture of care” were made while detectives investigated the alleged rape of the youngster.

The young boy at the centre of the rape investigation – now a 43-year-old man – told The Argus he was systematically raped at the “brutal” home.

In 2013, two men, a 64-year-old and 68-year-old, were arrested on suspicion of raping the boy.

However police concluded there was “not enough evidence” to recommend a prosecution and the case was dropped late last year.

On Thursday Brighton and Hove City Council and East Sussex County Council members met with Sussex Police to discuss the new allegations about poor care.

In a joint statement, the two local authorities said: “Whilst there is no current on-going police investigation into events at the Preston Road Children’s Home, which closed in the 1990s, Brighton and Hove City Council and East Sussex County Council take all safeguarding matters seriously.

“As such further enquiries into care practices within the children’s home are being undertaken.”

Yesterday another woman came forward to tell The Argus about her time at the home as a teenager during the 1980s.

Although she does not claim to have been sexually abused, she said: “I was man-handled many a time, including being pinned down and sat on.

“I have old pictures of a friend who was tied up on the floor and all sorts.

“I think The Argus uncovering this whole story has brought back a lot of memories good and bad for a lot of us.”

Anyone who has concerns about care practices at the Preston Road Children’s Home should contact Brighton and Hove’s Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub on 01273 290400.