Staff were not trained to deal with challenging children

A recent report by UK schools inspector Kathie Bull said a manager of one of the island's children's homes did not have appropriate qualifications relevant to working with children.

It also noted many staff are not trained to deal with children who are sometimes challenging.

Danny Wheery, the manager of children's placement and support at the Childrens' Service, said more care staff are being trained so they have relevant qualifications.

We need to address further training issues Danny Wheery

He said: "We've just initiated NVQ level three, which is starting in September, and two of the staff here are taking Open University courses.

"There is one trained - one manager is a qualified social worker. We need to address further training issues."

However, a teenager who lived in one home specifically criticised in the report is speaking out in its defence.

The report by Kathie Bull, from the UK's Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted), said children at the home were seen sleeping in a snooker room, in a corridor and on a sofa in a living room.

'Like a family'

The report also said challenging children were seen to take advantage of overcrowding, resulting in others being neglected.

The 16-year old, who lived at the home until four months ago, said she had a positive memory of her time in care.

She said: "I would say it's a good place to be, it's like a family.