An adolescent mental health unit where the treatment of vulnerable young people was described as “worse than animals” has shut down after a Sky News investigation.

Former patients at Taplow Manor in Maidenhead, Berkshire, claimed there was overuse of restraint, and former workers said inadequate staffing and training put people at risk.

Police are also investigating the death of a patient at the unit and an allegation of child rape involving staff.

Active Care Group, which ran the unit until its closure, said on Thursday it had taken “the difficult decision” to close the facility “due to a change in strategic direction”.

The group said in a statement: “We wish to thank our dedicated staff for the care and support they have provided to patients at Taplow Manor over the years.

“Active Care Group has now entered a period of consultation with staff and will take every step to ensure that those impacted are retained within the business where possible.

The group’s statement added it is working with “patients’ families and their relevant multidisciplinary teams to assist in the safe transfer or discharge of all Taplow Manor patients”.

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The Huntercombe Group, which previously ran the unit and is now part of Active Care Group, received £190m since 2015 from NHS England to operate Taplow Manor and other hospitals.

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In a joint investigation with The Independent, more than 50 former patients told Sky News they were failed by the care they received at units run by the Huntercombe Group, one of several independent providers the NHS uses to provide specialist in-patient care for children and teenagers.

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Taplow Manor had been threatened with closure by the health watchdog, the Care Quality Commission, in March if it failed to make improvements.

The Department of Health and Social Care also launched a national investigation into the safety of all mental health inpatient services in England after the investigation was released.

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