A CHILDREN'S home has been temporarily closed following "significant concerns" over the protection of youngsters.

A damning Ofsted review of the Seaside Home for Children in Shoreham after an inspection in June has led to the decision to shut the place down today.

Inspectors found "serious and widespread failures" that meant children and young people were not protected by staff.

The home, run by West Sussex County Council, is registered to accommodate up to six children who have experienced trauma and difficult experiences in their lives.

It has not had a registered manager since April 30.

Ofsted has recommended managers and staff need guidance on children who run away or go missing from home or care.

Seaside was rated as inadequate by the authority after a "sustained effectiveness" judgment in February.

Ofsted has now issued the council with a registration suspension notice, effectively meaning the no one can be under the care of the home.

Part of the Ofsted review said: "Significant concerns relating to the protection of children and the effectiveness of leaders and managers were identified at this inspection.

"Due to the serious nature of these concerns, Ofsted will issue a restriction of accommodation notice and two compliance notices.

"The admissions process does not effectively evaluate the likely impact a new admission will have on the other children living at the home.

"In recent months the admission of one child has had a highly negative effect on the other children, and their progress has suffered as a result.

"Staff have not been able to ensure that positive relationships are maintained in the group of children and, as a result, some have had a negative experience of day-to-day life in the home."

Children have been found new accommodation and no new places at Seaside will be made "for the foreseeable future", the council said.

A review of all its other homes was carried out and placements at two other homes have been temporarily suspended and respite care at another has been halted.

The homes cannot be named because accommodation is still being sought for the children.

The council says it is satisfied the rest of its homes are of a good standard.

County council leader Louise Goldsmith said: “Our priority is the welfare of the children in our care and we take Ofsted’s findings very seriously.

"Obviously, I am disappointed by the report but we accept the findings.

"We have taken the initiative and where we haven’t been satisfied by the standards of care, we have taken the necessary and appropriate action.

"The children in West Sussex will always come first and we are now working hard to raise standards so that we have a consistently high level of care across the county.

“I am sorry for the disruption these decisions have had on the children in our care and their families.”