A failing children's home has been closed.

West End House in Cattistock, operated by Dorset County Council, was rated inadequate in its latest Ofsted inspection in July.

The council said the closure was due to 'insufficient staffing resources'.

The children's home provides care and accommodation for up to four young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

The bungalow, which is adjacent to the main house, provides accommodation to support the development of young people's independent living skills as they grow into young adults.

As reported, the home was rated inadequate in all three sections: overall experiences and progress of children and young people; how well children and young people are helped and protected and the effectiveness of leaders and managers – despite its last full inspection in September 2016 seeing it rated as outstanding.

West End House is the second children's home operated by Dorset County Council that has been rated inadequate in the recent months, following the inspection of Maumbury House in Dorchester in June.

A decision was made by members of the Dorset County Council Cabinet at a recent meeting to close the children's home.

Sara Tough, Dorset County Council’s corporate director for children, adults and communities, said: “On Wednesday 27 September, the council’s Cabinet agreed to close West End House children’s home in Cattistock. This is due to insufficient staffing resources at this time.

“The children who were living at the home have already moved on or are about to move, which gives us the opportunity to consolidate our resources for children’s residential care in Dorset.

“We will be focusing our efforts on supporting Maumbury House in Dorchester, which will remain open.”

The 2017 Ofsted report of West End House highlighted that there were "serious and widespread failures" and that young people were "fearing for their safety".

The home closed on Monday, October 2.