Council leaders have called for more powers to hold local partners to account after a review into the abuse of children with disabilities.

Children with disabilities and complex health needs faced abuse while at homes run by the Hesley Group, including being punched, kicked and fed chillies, an expert safeguarding panel said.

The panel criticised inadequate leadership at the Hesley Group and failures of regulation, and called for an overhaul of the safeguarding system.

Ofsted issued warnings after more than 100 incidents at the homes despite also rating them as good.

Deputy chair of the Local Government Association's children and young people board, Lucy Nethsingha, said: ‘The findings of the national panel must be an urgent call to action for the entire sector to make sure that children with disabilities and complex health needs receive the support they need in settings where they are safe and well cared for.

‘As this report rightly identifies, supporting these children well requires the commitment of a range of partners.

‘To help ensure this happens, councils should be given additional powers to hold local partners, including health and schools, to account for their role in supporting children with SEND [special educational needs or disability].'