A POLICE appeal to help find two teenage boys, missing from a property in Four Marks, has reinforced concern over what have been described as “unbelievable goings on” at two “therapeutic” children’s homes in the area.

While one of the boys, a 13 year old who has been reported missing on at least one other occasion, has now been found, a 16-year-old youth is still missing.

Ofsted has confirmed that the pair had absconded from the Benjamin Homes property on Telegraph Lane, Four Marks, galvanising views that the troubled young people living there, who come from as far afield as Bristol, Essex, north London and Hertfordshire, are not being properly supervised.

As neighbouring residents continue to lodge reports of youngsters on the roof, fires, noise, fighting and children going missing, there is an underlying concern that “society is letting them down”.

District councillor Ingrid Thomas said: “I am just constantly dismayed at the outward signs that the safeguarding of these extremely vulnerable children appear to be failing them.”

Mrs Thomas is concerned that because the youngsters in question are the sole responsibility of social workers from their own local authority, Hampshire social workers are powerless to intervene and not allowed into the home to check on their well-being.

She said: “It’s notable that Hampshire children’s services, which has a very good reputation, doesn’t place children with this company.”

And she added that the only organisation with the authority to intervene was Ofsted.

Owned and run by Benjamin UK Ltd, the two homes - the other is on Boyneswood Road, Medstead, with a third due to open on Winchester Road, Four Marks - are licensed by Ofsted to provide “24-hour wraparound therapeutic residential placements as well as therapeutic education for young people who, due to early childhood trauma, mental health problems and, in particular, attachment-related problems, have difficulty reaching their full potential”.

Founded in 2004, Benjamin UK is the brainchild of company founder Claudette Deysel who, in 2013, won the Natwest Everywoman Award for her visionary approach to “running a business with a clearly defined social or ethical purpose” - in this case promoting the rights of vulnerable children.

Now with homes in five counties, according to Benjamin UK’s safeguarding consultant, former Scotland Yard Detective Sergeant Michael Hames, each of the homes is registered to take four children aged 12 to 18.

Of this current blip, Mr Hames is keen to quell local fears. “The company is committed to working with the community and hold regular meetings with councillors and residents. They also have close working relationships with their partners, the police, Social Services, local authorities, Ofsted, parents, CAMHS and other organisations to help the children in their care achieve positive outcomes.

“After some initial setbacks, the homes now have strong and experienced management and an area manager to oversee the operation,” he said.

“In relation to young people going missing, every effort is made to counter this and they have seen a huge reduction in these episodes. The community can be assured that Benjamin UK is totally child centred and determined to give them the best chances in their future lives.”

In a statement, Ofsted said: “Ofsted is aware of the incident and is in contact with the home and local authority.

“The home (on Telegraph Lane) is currently rated ‘requires improvement’, not “inadequate” (as rumoured locally, due to problems with staffing).

“Ofsted inspects children’s homes at least once a year, and more often if it’s deemed to be necessary. When Ofsted is made aware that a child has gone missing, we liaise closely with the home and the relevant local authorities, as appropriate. This is to ensure the home is acting effectively to resolve the situation.”

A Hampshire County Council spokesman said: “Benjamin Homes are independent, privately-run children’s homes, regulated by the Department for Education and inspected by Ofsted and, as such, the local authority has no direct powers over the leadership and management of the homes.

“Furthermore, children from Hampshire are not placed in these homes.”

The remaining missing boy, named by the authorities only as 16-year-old Stephen, is described as white, of slim build, 6ft 1ins tall, with short blond hair. He was last seen wearing a blue hoody, grey tracksuit bottoms, gloves and carrying an Adidas bag.

According to Inspector Nicola Prior, it is believed he may have travelled to Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire.

Police have appealed to people to look out for Stephen, as well as directly to the boy to make contact to let them know he is okay.

Anyone with information should call Hampshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, quoting 44180314682.