An investigation by the BBC into the homes, for children with autism and complex needs run by private provider Hesley Group, has highlighted more than 100 concerns.
This investigation found that despite handing the homes a favourable rating, the inspectorate had been alerted dozens of times about incidents, which include locking children overnight in bathrooms, forcing them to take cold baths and depriving them of medication.
One young resident was dragged across the floor of one of the homes, according to the BBC.
Ofsted's chief inspector Amanda Spielman told the broadcaster she is “deeply sorry” for failures in the inspection of the homes. She conceded that Ofsted had “worked slower than we should have to recognise the pattern of abuse”.
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