Seven youngsters were discovered living in appalling conditions within a house that was "saturated with faeces and urine", according to a damning safeguarding report.

Social workers who visited the Stockport property in October 2023 were left "shocked" by the scenes that greeted them. Following their inspection, the parents were informed that the living standards were "unacceptable" and arrangements were made for a child protection conference.

A subsequent visit in November 2023 revealed the "horrific" state of the dwelling, which had no food, water, or heating, whilst excrement and urine were discovered across floors and mattresses. Greater Manchester Police were eventually brought into the investigation.

In their report, officers detailed: "There was a bowl of old sick and urine, dogs were running around eating soiled nappies and a dog crate was full of faeces. There was no heat, light or water, so no appliances could be used and there was no functioning bath or shower. The toilet only partially flushed, and the kitchen sink was connected to a hose which ran into the bathroom.

"There was no food in the cupboards, fridge or freezer. The upstairs floorboards were saturated with faeces and urine. There was no bedding and faeces all over the children's beds.", reports the Mirror.

The children and their family had been under the watch of social services for approximately 10 years. Although it was initially determined that the youngsters "would remain at home, partly due to the difficulty there would be in finding appropriate placements for seven siblings," they were subsequently taken into care.

According to the Manchester Evening News, the siblings were subject to "team around the child" (TAC) plans, having been classified as children in need on five separate occasions between 2014 and 2023. They were placed on child protection plans under the "neglect" category on two occasions - from July 2017 to June 2018, and from February to September 2022.

A third initial child protection conference had been scheduled. The report stated: "The children in the family had lived in a dirty and cluttered home for most of their childhood, with many of their basic needs not always being met by their parents.

"There was little understanding over the years of the parents' ability to recognise the damage being inflicted on their children or to empathise with their experience, although they would improve the home conditions when helped and pressurised."

Stockport's children's social care officials raised multiple concerns - including fears over "bruising, physical chastisement, poor home conditions, lack of adult supervision, poor school attendance, domestic abuse, and the emotional wellbeing of the children."

The review found that the children "often presented as hungry in school," seemed "tired and lacking in sleep" and suffered from "exceptionally poor dental health". It noted: "Their clothing was regularly dirty or inadequate, with the school providing coats in cold weather."

Primary school staff reported that youngsters frequently arrived "late, dirty, unkempt, and odorous". The family was regularly "reported to be ill with common illnesses such as stomach bugs, which were thought to be due to the unsanitary kitchen."

The children's mother admitted to the review that her mental health had "always been poor" and that she battled with motivation. "She said that she was also ashamed about her home, but that she has an issue with hoarding that she was unable to control," the report stated.

The father "told the review that he knew that the state of the home was not always good enough for the children, and that as he went out to work, he did not always have the energy or motivation to clean," the report went on. The Child Safeguarding Practice Review confirmed that modifications had been implemented by social services and partners.

Seven recommendations were put forward for future situations. The review triggered a practice improvement process.

The report explained: "This has led to planning for co-allocation of large families to two social workers, peer multi-agency supervision in neglect child protection cases, and when there is repeat child protection planning there will be a case audit and care planning meeting chaired by a service lead."

Seven children found with 'no food, water or heating' in home 'saturated with faeces' - Daily Star