Three members of staff have been suspended from learning disability charity MacIntyre’s school at Wingrave, Buckinghamshire, pending a police investigation, after another member of staff raised concerns.
Wingrave School is a specialist residential school for children aged 10-19 with autism, complex behavioural needs and learning disabilities run by MacIntyre. It offers a range of placements and operates 52 weeks of the year.
Sarah Burslem, managing director of MacIntyre, said: “After a member of staff came to us with concerns, we checked the facts of the allegations, then reported the matter to Buckinghamshire Social Services who brought in the police to investigate. We have been asked not to comment while the investigation is in progress.
“Our first thought is to ensure the safety and happiness of our students. We have a policy of encouraging all our staff to report concerns to us and to investigate them immediately. We are taking steps to ensure that there is no repeat of the alleged incidents.”
This is the second safeguarding incident at a MacIntyre-run school in recent months. In May, the charity closed its Welsh school and Children’s Home, Womaston, near Presteigne, after a staff member raised concerns about the behaviour of some staff members at the school in March. Those concerned were suspended and Dyfed-Powys police are investigating the incident.
In the light of recent incidents Bill Mumford has resigned from his secondment to the Department of Health’s Winterbourne View Joint Improvement Programme and will return to MacIntyre with immediate effect.
