Nan's anger over 'unexplained' injuries to disabled grandson

Boy arrived home from respite care with bruising on torso

- BY ELLIOTT JESSETT

NAN is furious after her disabled grandson returned home from a respite care facility with bruising all down his torso and thigh.

The injuries were reported in March 2023 at Springbrook respite care home in Southport and just two weeks after the child was mistakenly given a double dose of his medication.

Springbrook is managed by Sefton Council which commissioned three investigations, including an independent review by an external expert.

Despite a series of criticisms relating to the centre's lack of robust procedures and disciplinary action, each report concluded the cause of the injuries 'remain unexplained'.

Adam is severely disabled and requires around the clock supervision.

He was born with partial brain damage, is non-verbal and has quite pronounced physical tremors.

He is cared for by his grandmother Angela and both share a fully adapted home in Maghull with a spacious and accessible ground floor area for Adam to move around comfortably.

Adam and Angela are not their real names as the LDRS has agreed to protect their identity.

However, great-grandmother Val Howard is also one of Adam's carers and is happy to be named.

Val said caring for Adam is a full-time responsibility and they are incredibly grateful for any respite care they can access, adding: “You have to make sure you're well enough to give your child the care they deserve.”

Springbrook provides overnight short breaks for disabled children aged between 7 to 17 years and can only be accessed following an assessment by a social worker.

Children who stay at Springbrook have profound and complex needs and disabilities and are supported by a fully qualified team.

After reviewing Adam's case, Sefton Council said in a letter to the family, it has examined disciplinary procedures and initiated an overhaul of the monitoring and reporting mechanism at Springbrook.