A children’s home could be shut down if its owners fail to address a list of 12 requirements following a damning inspection by watchdog officials.

The house in Jacinth Drive, Sonora Fields, has been branded "inadequate" in a report published by Ofsted.

Inspector Lucy Chapman gave the home, for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties, the lowest possible rating in three areas, covering experience and progress of its residents, how well they are helped and protected and the impact of the leaders and managers on the youngsters.

She wrote: "Staff allow underage young people who are under constant staff supervision due to child sexual exploitation risk to purchase cigarettes or to approach adults in the street to ask for cigarettes."

The report says none of the children go to school or college, all the residents smoke, the young people are disengaged and "staff practice is poor and does not consistently promote young people's safety or provide clear boundaries to support young people to make positive behaviour change".

Steps must be taken to make improvements by April 26.

Inspectors are then due to return to check on the home’s progress and will review its rating.

Worried neighbours had complained about the behaviour of the children, who are aged between nine and 17.

They said police had been called a number of times and staff appeared not to have any control over them and let them do what they wanted.

Councillor James Hunt (Con) who represents The Meads, said: "I'm pleased Ofsted has now concluded its investigations and found concerns I received were justified.

"The council is continuing to work with the relevant organisations involved to ensure a plan is put in place to try and resolve matters for the benefit of the residents of the home and the neighbouring properties.

"These findings show how important it is for members of the public to report any safeguarding concerns they have to the council or other organisations so that investigations can take place.

"If that didn’t happen in this case and the council hadn't have lodged a complaint with Ofsted these findings may have gone unknown about."

Jamores LTD, which runs the home, did not respond to requests for comment.

• To read the full report, click here