'House of horrors' should be demolished

The panel found no political appetite for addressing social issues impacting on the welfare of children.

Its report says the focus was on structure and process without consideration of the quality of leadership, performance of staff or experience of the children.

Quote Message: We find that leadership generally has been lacking, and that the focus in Jersey has instead been on administration and hierarchy." from Independent Jersey Care Inquiry Report

We find that leadership generally has been lacking, and that the focus in Jersey has instead been on administration and hierarchy."

One of the recommendations from the panel of the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry is the preservation of the "vast documentation" collected and summarised in the final report.

The panel said: "We have made it clear that we will not transfer material until such time as we are satisfied that the arrangements will afford it proper protection."

They added consideration should be given to making the archive "accessible and more easily searchable".

However they also recommended special provision be given to protect the privacy of those who gave evidence anonymously, or in private.

The report states the collection should be preserved "In perpetuity", with all public documents being left in the public domain.

As part of the final report from the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry the panel outlined the way in which child services were run in the period under scrutiny.

Running of the homes were split between homes run by the States of Jersey and those run by the voluntary or charitable sector.

The panel said some of the homes "evolved in their nature" beginning as voluntary facilities and later coming under the control of the States.

Two of the homes evolving in this way were Brig-y-Don and La Preference.

Other homes remained under the control of the States of Jersey but changed in their size or use; for example, Jersey Home for Boys merged with the Jersey Home for Girls and in 1959 and became known as Haut de la Garenne.

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The final report from the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry has found for many years, once a child entered a care home in Jersey, "little effort" was made to determine how they were coping, or how it was affecting them.

The report said aftercare of looked after children was "inadequate", in Jersey's child care system.

The inquiry's panel also found "little evidence" in Jersey of political initiatives to tackle the underlying causes of the social problems known to make children more likely to enter the care system, including child poverty, addiction, inadequate housing, mental health problems and social isolation.

Jersey's chief minister is encouraging people in Jersey to read the "harrowing" accounts in the report released by the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry.

Quote Message: Today has been a difficult day. None of us have had time to read all the stories of those who suffered over the decades. I know it will be harrowing reading, and I ask every member of our community to read this public inquiry report. Those stories that will actually galvanise people into action, to providing the money, to say 'we will recruit the people that are needed' because we have to make sure together that this does not happen in the future. from Senator Ian Gorst Chief Minister, States of Jersey

Today has been a difficult day. None of us have had time to read all the stories of those who suffered over the decades. I know it will be harrowing reading, and I ask every member of our community to read this public inquiry report. Those stories that will actually galvanise people into action, to providing the money, to say 'we will recruit the people that are needed' because we have to make sure together that this does not happen in the future.

Quote Message: We have not forgotten you. You are at the forefront of our mind. We are sorry if we have got it wrong in the past. If you have concerns today that you want to raise with me, or any minister, or with any member of the States, our parliament, do so. We stand ready to listen and support you, you are our child, we see you as part of our family. from Senator Ian Gorst Chief Minister, Senator Ian Gorst

We have not forgotten you. You are at the forefront of our mind. We are sorry if we have got it wrong in the past. If you have concerns today that you want to raise with me, or any minister, or with any member of the States, our parliament, do so. We stand ready to listen and support you, you are our child, we see you as part of our family.

The States is offering support for those affected by issues raised in inquiry.

A former home affairs minister denies lying to the States of Jersey.

Quote Message: We find that Andrew Lewis lied to the States Assembly about the Metropolitan Police Service report, stating that he had had sight of it when he had not. We can readily see why these acts have given rise to public suspicion that all or some of those involved were acting improperly and that they were motivated by a wish to discredit or close down investigations into child abuse." from Independent Jersey Care Inquiry report

We find that Andrew Lewis lied to the States Assembly about the Metropolitan Police Service report, stating that he had had sight of it when he had not. We can readily see why these acts have given rise to public suspicion that all or some of those involved were acting improperly and that they were motivated by a wish to discredit or close down investigations into child abuse."

Deputy Andrew Lewis said he welcomes the report but disagrees with the finding that he lied.

Quote Message: The inquiry refers to an answer that I gave to the assembly when being questioned at length, during which I unintentionally described a communication from the Deputy Police Chief as a report. This error I have endeavoured to correct on many occasions, including at the inquiry itself. I am therefore concerned that the inquiry team have failed to acknowledge this. I am disappointed that this has been characterised as a lie rather than the honest mistake that it was." from Deputy Andrew Lewis

The inquiry refers to an answer that I gave to the assembly when being questioned at length, during which I unintentionally described a communication from the Deputy Police Chief as a report. This error I have endeavoured to correct on many occasions, including at the inquiry itself. I am therefore concerned that the inquiry team have failed to acknowledge this. I am disappointed that this has been characterised as a lie rather than the honest mistake that it was."

He said he was pleased the inquiry acknowledged there was no conspiracy to derail Operation Rectangle.

Jersey's Chief Minister Senator Ian Gorst said he is prepared to work with care leavers on implementing recommendations made by the final report of the Jersey Independent Care Inquiry.

One of those recommendations is the demolishing of Haut de la Garenne children's home.

Quote Message: If the desire is to demolish that building and put in place a modern building, fit for the future, that provides facilities for young people, probably in a recreational capacity then I am committed to delivering that. from Senator Ian Gorst Chief Minister, States of Jersey

If the desire is to demolish that building and put in place a modern building, fit for the future, that provides facilities for young people, probably in a recreational capacity then I am committed to delivering that.

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Quote Message: Historically I accept that other things, rather than protection of children and legislation to protect children, has been secondary compared to other legislation. Since 2011, when I was appointed as chief minister and we had a new health minister, the amount of social legislation and provision that we have delivered on I think far and away [outweighs] the legislation we have provided for financial services. from Senator Ian Gorst Chief Minister, States of Jersey

Historically I accept that other things, rather than protection of children and legislation to protect children, has been secondary compared to other legislation. Since 2011, when I was appointed as chief minister and we had a new health minister, the amount of social legislation and provision that we have delivered on I think far and away [outweighs] the legislation we have provided for financial services.

There was a long absence of political and professional will in Jersey to monitor care standards, a long-awaited report into historical abuse and mistreatment of youngsters in care on the island has said.

The report also detailed how until the 1990s there was no system to report abuse, secure rooms were used routinely and excessively against children and many victims felt unable to speak out through fear of not being believed.

There was a failure to value, listen to and nurture children in the care system In one residential home, La Preference, which was originally run by the Vegetarian Society from 1951 to 1984, children taken in during that period had to adopt a vegetarian diet. Only one inspection took place there, in 1981.

At Haut de la Garenne, the mix of ill-equipped staff and lack of training was compounded by a "toxic mix" of personalities who meted out or tolerated harsh treatment of children.

Paedophile Jimmy Savile was implicated in the home's past, with an allegation received by police in 2008 that an indecent assault occurred there in the 1970s. It was decided there was insufficient evidence to proceed.

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Quote Message: The report says there may be children still at risk, even the 'may' for me is too much, and I will not rest. Whilst the report was being written we have invested millions of pounds in improving our services, we have recruited permanent heads to children's services from the United Kingdom, we undertook independent audits to help us move forward. We want to build a service where children are properly looked after, where they are properly considered and cared for, and loved as if they were our own children. from Senator Ian Gorst Chief Minister, States of Jersey

The report says there may be children still at risk, even the 'may' for me is too much, and I will not rest. Whilst the report was being written we have invested millions of pounds in improving our services, we have recruited permanent heads to children's services from the United Kingdom, we undertook independent audits to help us move forward. We want to build a service where children are properly looked after, where they are properly considered and cared for, and loved as if they were our own children.

The inquiry panel said since 1945 Jersey has become disconnected from mainstream social care, which is one of the "major factors" in the failure of the child care system.

It recommends the youth justice system move to a model that always treats young offenders as children first and offenders second.

This is along with a suitable training programme to be put in place for the judiciary to ensure they are kept up to date on the latest thinking and research.

Quote Message: I accept the recommendations, and I will work with fellow ministers, and the States Assembly to get them approved. We will now undertake a piece of work to look at the financial resources, the human resources that are needed to deliver those recommendations. But I am committed to delivering them. from Senator Ian Gorst Chief Minister, States of Jersey

I accept the recommendations, and I will work with fellow ministers, and the States Assembly to get them approved. We will now undertake a piece of work to look at the financial resources, the human resources that are needed to deliver those recommendations. But I am committed to delivering them.

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The Haut de la Garenne children's home in Jersey should be demolished, a long-awaited report into historical abuse and mistreatment of youngsters in care on the island has recommended.

The home, dubbed "the house of horrors", was where hundreds of crimes were carried out against vulnerable children over decades before it was shut in the 1980s.

As a three-year, £23m inquiry reported its findings, its recommendations included the demolition of the buildings, which represented a "symbol of the turmoil and trauma" suffered by victims.

The inquiry, chaired by Frances Oldham QC, found failings still existed in Jersey's child care systems and "lessons of the past have not been learned".

Foster carers reported the service was failing, care orders were being used inappropriately and children in care still reported no effective system to raise concerns.

The 832-page report detailed a catalogue of abuse from the mid-1940s onwards, and that persistent failures existed at all levels in the management, operation and governance of Jersey's children's homes for decades.

The inquiry heard evidence of a "Jersey way" that involved the protection of powerful interests, and a culture of fear that deterred whistleblowers.

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"The inquiry highlights 10 fundamental failings in Jersey’s care system, including, most importantly, the failure to listen to children," says Jersey's chief minister.

"I am shocked. I am saddened. I am sorry," said Senator Ian Gorst.

"This report rams home some cold, hard, brutal truths. Over decades, too many children failed by too many people. And it highlights the so-called 'Jersey way'."

Quote Message: The report warns that some children in our care... 'may still be at risk'. I will not rest until we have done all that we can do to change that."

The report warns that some children in our care... 'may still be at risk'. I will not rest until we have done all that we can do to change that."

"I accept, every recommendation and pledge to build a new culture. One which puts children first. Every time. Where one child failed, is one too many," he added.

The report makes a number of comments about staff in the care system lacking training, qualifications and the experience to deal with the issues some of the children in their care faced.

The panel suggests a dedicated HR resource should be made available to Children's Services and the breaking of "silo working".

It says recruiting and retaining suitably qualified staff at all levels is essential to improve services.

Jersey's chief minister said "while the inquiry has been working we have not stopped".

He said we have:

• Made additional resources available
• Embarked on a major programme of service improvement
• Enhanced our ability to work together across different services

Quote Message: We know we still need to do much more. We need to do better - and we will. People have been let down and I am sorry for that, children should never have been abused; they should not have been failed, but they were." from Senator Ian Gorst Jersey's chief minister

We know we still need to do much more. We need to do better - and we will. People have been let down and I am sorry for that, children should never have been abused; they should not have been failed, but they were."

Quote Message: Now our priority is to take action to help ensure that no child suffers such abuse in future."

Now our priority is to take action to help ensure that no child suffers such abuse in future."

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