Senator Stuart Syvret Blog

THE WILLIAMSON REPORT.

2008-07-07T00:33:00.003+01:00

Is it a Thick, Ultra-bright White-Wash?

Or is it a Watered-Down Can of Emulsion?

Not Capable of Concealing Mould, Decay and Rot:

Does it Even State what the Jersey Oligarchy are Claiming?

Those of you who have been regular readers of my blog will have gathered that many of the victims, their parents, whistle-blowers and I ceased to have any confidence in Andrew Williamson some months ago. Mr. Williamson being the ‘consultant’ carefully chosen by Jersey’s oligarchy to undertake a soi disant “investigation” into child care failures in the island.

For example, in response to a blog comment, I replied thus:

“But subsequently – I learnt from national journalists about Mr. Williamson; learnt that he had a reputation as a ‘fixer’ when it came to child abuse controversies; that he could be relied upon to do the bidding of his paymasters – and trot out a load of suitably bland adjudications upon past ‘unfortunate errors’, make a few equally bland recommendations – and then say – ‘apart from that – everything in the garden is rosy.’

This is his marketing device; his unique selling point.

You’re an authority with big fat loads of cash to burn? You’re faced with a child abuse scandal? No problem – call in Andrew Williamson – and he will pour oil on your troubled waters.

And this assessment of him was re-enforced quite strongly - by several different people from across the country who I spoke with at the House of Commons the other week.

Mr. Williamson is merely a ‘hired gun’; a ‘fixer’ for authorities in trouble.

Which – of course – is precisely why he was hired by the Jersey oligarchy.”

This assessment I made of Mr. Williamson and his report – prior to its publication – pretty much nailed the tone, contents and un-threatening nature of the published document.

I would certainly strongly advise any care-leavers, abuse survivors and campaigners across the country to mount a fundamental objection to Mr. Williamson – if your particular child-abuse concealing local authority seeks to hire him to carry out an “independent investigation”.

However – and but – and nevertheless - and hold on a moment!

Peel off the safety wrapper – get into the package – apply the merest of thought – and engage intellectually with the findings of the Jersey report by getting underneath the terribly, terribly polite and diplomatic language – then what does the report reveal?

Notwithstanding the best efforts to make the report polite and unthreatening – such is the depth of the scandal and manifest disastrous incompetence and dysfunction revealed in the management of Jersey’s child protection apparatus – there is only one general interpretation that can be placed upon the report’s findings.

That is: they are – utterly damning.

As I said – one does have to actually think about what the report is saying – rather than passively accepting its bland exterior – but once you give the subject-matter that thought – it is QED - so far as the issues being raised by people like Simon Bellwood, me, victims and other whistle-blowers are concerned.

Now – what do we think are the chances of the Jersey media getting below the flim-flam – and thinking about what it actually means?

Let’s conduct an experiment, OK?

Let us hypothesise that the Jersey media reporting on the subject will be utterly hopeless.

That they will passively swallow the brazen spin being placed on the report and the demonstrable nonsense – of the kind we read from Senator Jimmy Perchard in Saturday’s JEP.

And that even if they grasp the true meaning of the document – for reasons of their customary bias – they won’t report an accurate interpretation of it.

The coming days will test our theory.

In the interim, I reproduce below this post – the Williamson report in its entirety.

I would like you to read it carefully - and in addition to noting the bland language, deliberate avoidance of clearly stating the obvious conclusions, the spineless attempts to be all things to all people without giving too much offence to anyone – and to instead consider some fundamentals revealed by the report.

I will be writing a detailed commentary which I hope to publish in the next day or so. Once I have completed it, I’ll post it here.

But in the interim – here are a few observations to be going on with.

The report adopts and faithfully carries forward the spin-strategy of Jersey’s oligarchy – Mr. Williamson’s pay-masters – through the shameful sophistry of referring to present issues – rather than the previous, long-term disgusting failures of the senior management of Jersey’s child protection apparatus.

This in the hope that if they can carry on asserting that everything in the garden is rosy – today – everyone will somehow forget about the causes of this controversy.

For example – let us take a close look at a particularly carefully crafted phrase from the document. Mr Williamson says, at paragraph 3.2:

“It is important to state at the outset that I have seen no evidence of the institutional or systematic abuse of children in any of these visits”.

This splendid example of diplomatic sophistry then becomes - in the hands of Jersey’s oligarchy – ‘No evidence of any systemic, institutionalised abuse. So there! Every thing in the garden is rosy.’

I know this is quite tiresome – and none of it would, or should, be necessary if the Jersey establishment were not ethically and intellectually bankrupt – but let’s de-construct this phrase of Mr. Williamson’s.

“No evidence of the institutional abuse or systemic abuse of children in any of these visits.”

Got that? He saw no evidence of institutional abuse DURING HIS VISITS.

Well – no sh*t, Sherlock.

Aint that just amazing? In his VISITS to the institutions – following the eruption of the controversy – he didn’t see any boys being held in solitary confinement – in cells with just a sky-light – for weeks and months at a stretch – with just a mattress on the floor – which would be taken away during the day.

I mean – I just can’t understand it! That after the monstrous eruption of the whole Jersey child abuse disaster – with the eyes of the world’s media on Jersey – with a major child abuse investigation being undertaken by the Police – that the mall-treatment of children in care and custody should not be there to be observed by an investigator subsequently brought in to examine such issues?

Like I said – aint it just amazing.

Now – let us make the observation that the sentence of Mr. Williamson quoted above DOES NOT state that there NEVER WAS institutionalised abuse at the Jersey childrens' “homes”.

On the contrary - in fact he later, at paragraph 5.11, states this:

"However, to use single separation/isolation, the process whereby children are forcibly removed from association with others and confined to a room on their own as a punishment for misbehaviour, is clearly inappropriate and should never be sanctioned by any care regime."

Got that? "is CLEARLY INAPPROPRIATE and should NEVER be sanctioned by ANY care regime".

As is well-known from evidence already in the public sphere – such as the so-called Grand Prix policy document – and victim testimony as reported by the national media – the regime used against already vulnerable children in Jersey’s child secure units DID involve the use of extended periods of punitive and coercive solitary confinement.

Institutional abuse which sometimes went on for months.

But – even Mr Williamson states that such regimes are CLEARLY INAPPROPRIATE and should NEVER be sanctioned.

Now let us cast our minds back to the early days of this controversy.

Back to the days when Simon Bellwood had been sacked for attempting to overturn such a clearly inappropriate regime.

And back to the days when I was sacked for believing people like Simon – and not the senior civil servants.

Throughout that episode the Jersey oligarchy repeatedly asserted that the “Grand Prix” regime was perfectly acceptable – and that even if it wasn’t – it was never actually used.

Who could forget the sight of Joe Kennedy asserting on television that his regime didn’t actually exist in the way described in his own policy document – and even if it did – they never actually used it?

Joe Kennedy, let us remind ourselves – was recently allowed to return to work and carry on in his job by people like Frank Walker, Ben Shenton and Jimmy Perchard.

The man who designed and ran a “clearly inappropriate” regime.

People like Simon – and people like me – were saying this regime was inappropriate – indeed, unlawful and wholly unacceptable - throughout last year. Yet throughout the whole episode we have been attacked and smeared by the Jersey oligarchy and its media.

Indeed – the oligarchy was asserting in the States assembly only last Wednesday that “we had no evidence” to back-up our concerns.

Such assertions being demonstrable lies, of course, as I will explain in detail in my full response to the report. Not that such an explanation is really necessary – given the clear evidence already in the public sphere.

Evidence that is implacably stark – notwithstanding the attempts by Jimmy Perchard and Frank Walker to assert otherwise.

Even their Williamson report says that such regimes are not appropriate.

Which is quite a surprising thing to find in the document – and must therefore be regarded as an utterly damning observation – given the complete rubbish and demonstrable, out-right falsehoods elsewhere in his report.

For example, he says of his interviews with all those who spoke to him, that he asked: “whether the individual concerned had any knowledge or concerns about the safety and well being of any child looked after by the States of Jersey as of that date.”

Note: “AS OF THAT DATE”.

He then goes on to state:

“I am pleased to be able to report that the unanimous response was “no”, that they were not aware of any current risks to children in respect of the matter they had sought to discuss with me. “

This is complete garbage; I know this for a stone-fact because I discussed my continuing concerns of risk to children with him.

As did a number of other people known to me.

But his assertion is another example of the sophistry which enabled the Jersey oligarchy to so neatly dovetail with Mr. Williamson.

The question that we were actually asked was to the effect that ‘did we know of any child in immediate and pressing danger – for example, a specific case of maltreatment, battery or sexual abuse?’

To which – of course – everyone said ‘no’.

This can hardly be regarded as surprising – as anyone who knew of a child in such immediate danger wouldn’t be speaking to manifest clowns like Mr. Williamson – they’d be informing the Police.

But you see what they’ve done here? Clever, no?

Very carefully crafted and well-chosen words – deliberately designed to place a spin on the situation.

Not being aware of a child in immediate danger of being raped – is suddenly transformed in the hands of these people into “no child is at risk because of any deficiencies in the Jersey system”, or words to that effect.

The report also contains blatant falsehoods. For example, it claims, at paragraph 10.6.7, that:

“The Howard League for Penal Reform accepted an invitation to visit Jersey in May 2008 to look at the provision of services for young people in remand or in custody. I welcomed the invitation to this organisation to provide an independent expert report into this very serious and complex part of the penal system. They are expected to publish their findings in July 2008."

The Howard League did not accept an invitation to visit Jersey in May 2008. That organisation – for which I have great respect – accepted an invitation from me to come and carry out an investigation of youth custody issues on the 28th August 2007 -before Mr. Williamson was even recruited. And this invitation from me was rabidly opposed by the Jersey oligarchy – even to the extent that Jersey's Chief Minister, Frank Walker, wrote to the Howard League in an effort to smear me.

But – fascinatingly – this being the Jersey establishment – inviting in the Howard League suddenly becomes some wonderful, humanitarian initiative of our oligarchy’s.

And just in case that isn’t enough lies for you for one reading, consider this. Mr. Williamson asserts in his report, at paragraph 11.17 that:

“Professor June Thoburn, was asked by the States of Jersey to review the work of the JCPC and assumed the role of Chair in January 2008, for an initial 12 month period.”

Err – no. Sorry – not even close to the facts.

Professor June Thoburn – again, a person I have great respect for – was identified, contacted and recruited by me on the 3rd September 2007, when she agreed to take on the post of Chair of the Jersey Child Protection Committee – which she duly took up in a matter of weeks – the previous Chair having been sacked by me.

And, again, the appointment of Professor Thoburn by me - not the States of Jersey -was met with rabid hostility from the self-same civil servants and politicians who now attempt to claim her appointment as some wise and far-sighted decision of their own.

As I’ve said – so many times before – you just couldn’t make it up.

So Mr. Williamson has got his cheque for £50,000.

And the Jersey oligarchy have – nearly – got what they paid for.

Nearly – but not quite.

And in this context – a miss is as good as a mile.

For there is no escaping the fundamental fact – as even Williamson cannot avoid stating – that the use of a punitive, coercive regime of solitary confinement against children is wrong. It is "innapropriate" and should "never" be sanctioned.

These wrong policies were opposed by Simon Bellwood – who the establishment sacked for his efforts; and they were in turn opposed by me when Simon brought them to my attention.

Yet – throughout this episode – Simon was treated appallingly – oppressed and sacked – by the very senior officers who were responsible for the catastrophically unacceptable and abusive "Grand Prix" regime.

And these were the self-same officers who then set about engineering my dismisal as well – when it became clear to them I was believing people like Simon – and not the lies they were peddling.

These officers – and, incidentally, the relevant politicians – remain happily in post. In the civil servants’ case, drawing vast salaries and final salary pensions.

There can be no credible response to the final admission that people like Simon and I were right – that the Grand Prix regime was ‘inappropriate’ and should ‘never have been sanctioned’ – other than to now sack all of those responsible for it and those who subsequently engaged in the corrupt attempts to conceal their own incompetence.

These being:

Joe Kennedy.

Phil Dennett.

Marnie Baudians.

Mike Pollard.

Linda Dodds.

Madeleine Davies.

Mario Lundy.

Just by way of making a start.

And as for the other two-thirds of the political “Corporate Parent” – Senators Mike Vibert and Wendy Kinnard – who engaged in the campaign of cover-up – they too must now resign. Not merely from their Ministerial posts – but from the States.

It is difficult to imagine anything less forgivable in the political context than politicians who have a role in child protection – pro-actively joining in with attempts to cover-up child protection failures.

In any respectable and functioning democracy – that is what would happen; the civil servants and the politicians who engaged in such incompetence and a culture of concealment – would be sacked - forthwith.

But – this is the States of Jersey we’re speaking of.

So don’t hold your breath.

But – if you are a survivor of Jersey social services in recent years – or a parent of a victim – or one of the whistle-blowers who risked your career to expose the truth – don’t worry.

The Williamson report is largely an irrelevancy – as after the next elections a professional and meaningful independent examination of the management failures within Jersey’s child protection apparatus will be commissioned and established.

Fascinatingly – it will also act as a de facto peer-review of the Williamson report.

I will be writing a detailed response to the Williamson report in due course.

In the meantime – let us think of those kids – shut in the cells for days, weeks, months at a stretch – being mentally harmed – lacerating themselves in acts of self-harm.

Let us contrast what they went through – with the plush and cosy lives of the senior civil servants and politicians who attempted to hide such appaling abuses.

Read the Williamson report, re-produced below. And whilst awaiting my detailed response – ponder the question – ‘was this £50,000 well-spent?’

Stuart.

The Williamson Report.

AN INQUIRY INTO
CHILD PROTECTION IN JERSEY
ANDREW WILLIAMSON
JUNE 2008

Contents

Page

1. Background 3
2. Procedure 4
3. Residential Care in Jersey today (2008) 6
4. Les Chenes 7
5. Greenfields Centre 8
6. La Preference Children’s Home 11
7. Heathfields Children’s Centre 11
8. Brig Y Don Pre School Group 11
9. Response to Advertisements 12
10. Issues identified from Interviews 13
10.1 Access to the Social Services Department outside office opening hours 13
10.2 CAMHS 13
10.3 Jersey Child Protection Service 14
10.4 Children’s Executive 15
10.5 External Independent Scrutiny 17
10.6 Future direction 17
10.7 Children’s Plan 19
10.8 A Children’s Plan should include 19
10.9 Staffing 20
10.10 Induction process for staff 21
11. Conclusion 22
12. Recommendations 26

Acknowledgements 28

Appendix 1 Advertisement 29
Appendix 2 List of meetings/visits 30
Appendix 3 Documents/Reports received 31

1. BACKGROUND

1.1 I was appointed by the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers of the States of Jersey on the 23rd August 2007 to undertake an inquiry into issues relating to child protection in Jersey. Specifically the terms of reference were:

1.2 To investigate and report on:

the appropriateness of the policies, advice and procedures produced by the Jersey Child Protection Committee and the Health and Social Services, Education and Home Affairs Departments;

the manner in which such policies, advice and procedures are followed by the departments;

the standards, experience and qualifications of staff as all levels and within all relevant departments.

1.3 And to make recommendations as to any actions that are considered immediately necessary to ensure the highest standards of child care and protection and thereafter to inform any Committee of Inquiry which the States may subsequently constitute.

1.4 The inquiry was considered to be necessary following a number of serious allegations of malpractice particularly within the Children’s Service which were made by a former Minister for Health & Social Services and other complainants.

1.5 Immediately after my appointment by the Council of Ministers I held a series of meetings with the Chief Executive of the States, Chief Executives of the departments for Health and Social Services, Home Affairs and Education, Sport and Culture as well as the Chief Officers of the Probation and Police Services to acquaint myself with the operational approach of each department and to seek their initial responses to the various complaints. I also sought information on current issues facing the departments – particularly relating to vulnerable children and young people and their families.

2. PROCEDURE

2.1 An advertisement was published in the Jersey Evening Post for six nights over a three week period from the 19th November 2007 seeking responses from any person who had lived at identified children’s homes or had been involved with the Children’s Service, and who wanted to talk to me on a totally confidential basis to please contact me.

A copy of the advertisement is attached to this report at Appendix 1.

2.2 Given that much of the work of the Social Services Department is undertaken on the basis of confidentiality I considered this was the most appropriate method of seeking to establish contact with service users – both former and current users of the Service.

2.3 The final publication date of this advertisement coincided with the series of advertisements by the States of Jersey Police in respect of their inquiry into allegations of criminal behaviour against young people.

2.4 Having ascertained that this was the case I met with the Deputy Chief Officer of the States of Jersey Police and the Head of Child Protection – States of Jersey Police and one of the two police representatives on the Jersey Child Protection Committee, to clarify the working arrangements for both enquiries and to ensure that my work did not in any way adversely affect the police inquiry. The original series of advertisements, outlining my involvement and providing my name and contact details, identified a closing date for referrals or complaints of the 14th December 2007.

2.5 However, with the significant publicity and media interest surrounding the police inquiry a number of referrals and requests for meetings continued to be received by me after that date, and with the agreement of the Council of Ministers the period to enable people to continue to make contact was extended until March 31st 2008.

2.6 During the period of the inquiry I have conducted 65 interviews with complainants; visited a number of children’s establishments, some without prior notice; attended a range of meetings across States departments; met with a wide range of staff members employed by the States of Jersey.

2.7 During this period it was also decided that I should move my office and administrative support from the Chief Minister’s Department to the Office of the States Greffe. Arrangements were put in hand to ensure that no communications or post were lost in the transitional period and I have received no indication that the move led to any breakdown in communication between either members of the public or current for former staff who wished to contact me.

2.8 I have conducted a number of personal interviews, 65 of which were as a direct result of people making contact with me voluntarily and in response to the series of press advertisements, and I also held meetings with either current or former members of the staff, Deputies, Senators and Ministers and those working for the voluntary sector in Jersey in relation to services for children.

2.9 As is usual in these circumstances and to ensure a thorough and meaningful discussion I gave an assurance of confidentiality to those people interviewed (within, of course, the parameters of the Law.)

2.10 At the conclusion of each interview and in order to be able to assess the likelihood of any current risks to children I specifically asked whether the individual concerned had any knowledge or concerns about the safety and well being of any child looked after by the States of Jersey as of that date.

2.11 I am pleased to be able to report that the unanimous response was “no”, that they were not aware of any current risks to children in respect of the matter they had sought to discuss with me.

2.12 I should make it clear that had any allegations or concerns regarding the wellbeing of children been reported to me, I would have relayed the information to the police or the Children’s Services immediately.

2.13 The majority of the concerns expressed to me were about the standards of services received over recent years and interviewees often sought to challenge some of the decisions taken by senior representatives of the Children’s Service in the past.

2.14 Some felt aggrieved by what they perceived to be unfair, or judgemental, decisions concerning parental skills or the demonstration of a lack of clarity and professionalism in the decisions regarding child welfare or family life.

2.15 In December 2007 I requested that a former Director of Social Services for Kent County Council, Mr. Peter Smallridge C.B.E., could assist me in the inquiry as I felt that the benefits of having additional independent analysis of the Children’s Service would be extremely advantageous. This was readily agreed. Mr. Smallridge is also currently chair of the Kent and Medway NHS Partnership Trust, Past President of the Association of Directors of Social Services and brings to the inquiry a wealth of experience. He has accompanied me on a number of visits – all of which are listed as Appendix 2 to this report, assisted with some interviews and he has also had sight of all copies of reports I have received– again these are listed in Appendix 3.

3 RESIDENTIAL CARE IN JERSEY TODAY (2008)

3.1 Peter Smallridge and I have undertaken, planned and unannounced visits to all of the residential children’s establishments in Jersey over the last few months. These establishments are:

Les Chenes (which subsequently became Greenfields Centre);

La Preference Children’s Home;

Heathfields Children’s Home and

Brig Y Don Pre School Group.

3.2 It is important to state at the outset that I have seen no evidence of the institutional or systematic abuse of children in any of these visits and that, so far as we know, the Service is safe for the children and young people in the States of Jersey Children’s Homes today.

3.3 We acknowledge that present investigations into past practice on the Island may unearth a different picture but as we are not involved in those investigations it would not be appropriate for us to comment. Those matters are quite properly for the police to deal with.

We outline below our comments on each of the establishments.

3.4 From our visits and attendance at various meetings we both feel we can be confident that the managers and staff involved in the direct provision of residential services for children are competent in their work and keen to demonstrate high standards of care.

3.5 Essentially they, in conjunction and often increasingly in partnership with foster carers, provide a good service for children and young people who require care and support.

4. LES CHENES

4.1 Les Chenes is a large building which is currently not used for the provision of care for children. Prior to the opening of the new Greenfields Service Unit, Les Chenes was used as the secure facility for children and young people but was not designed for that purpose.

4.2 Staff told us that the previous secure unit was very unsatisfactory and, that far from meeting the needs of the resident children it allowed them to “run riot” and virtually run the establishment to the very real detriment to their care and to the increased risk of harm to themselves or to the staff.

4.3 We were told that there were too many children, some of whom were placed inappropriately, and staff felt lacking in confidence in terms of building design, staffing levels and training to deal with them. In short we were told it was “dangerous and needed to be changed.”

4.4 The Kathy Bull Report (December 2002) recommended the closure of Les Chenes and the decision was made for it to be closed. A new secure unit to replace it was commissioned and staff appointed to assist with the design. Visits were made across the UK to ensure that it would incorporate the latest and most effective techniques to provide a secure environment for children and young people.
4.5 It was also necessary to ensure an appropriate environment for daily living with recreational and educational facilities provided within the secure perimeter.

4.6 The move to the new “Greenfields” Centre was undertaken in a planned way and the staff told us that the extremely challenging and at times “out of control” behaviour exhibited not infrequently by the residents of the former home – Les Chenes – virtually disappeared since moving to Greenfields, which has been much easier to maintain and manage.

4.7 Les Chenes remains empty and proposals are listed later in this report regarding its possible future use.

5. GREENFIELDS CENTRE

5.1 This is a modern secure unit, is purposely designed and built to a high standard and, we believe is “fit for purpose” and appropriately staffed. Although staff tell us that access to training opportunities could be better, they are committed to the care regime that operates there and, to the children placed there.

5.2 On admission each child has his/her Care Plan agreed, reviews are carried out as appropriate depending on the length of stay of the resident. There appears to be a good working relationship between field social workers and their residential colleagues.

5.3 The major concerns expressed about the regime which operated there were about the “Grand Prix” system of managing children’s behaviour. This had been introduced during the unsettled period at Les Chenes, and established at Greenfields as the model for managing the behaviour of the residents. Staff were trained in the use of TCI (Therapeutic Crisis Intervention). In essence this was predicated on a behaviour modification model not unlike many we have seen operating in similar establishments in the UK. Offering rewards for acceptable behaviour and sanctions when it was not achieved, the “Grand Prix” symbolised achievement and failure and sought to make the system topical and understandable for the young people living with it.

5.4 In admission to a Secure Unit it is normal practice for the young person to be interviewed, informed of the rules for the general running of the unit, asked to remove their clothing, shower and change into the clothing provided by the unit.

5.5 At Greenfields, this routine takes place in a single room with private bathroom and the clothing given to the young person is in our judgement quite appropriate. There is an additional factor that has to be included in this process which is particularly relevant to a community such as Jersey and that is to ascertain whether the young person knows any of the other resident young people or members of staff within the unit. It does seem relevant, in our judgement, that issues of friendship or enmity that may exist between residents of the unit prior to their admission does need to be clarified and providing there is a constant and reassuring member of staff available to the young person during this process this is a necessary part of the admission procedure. This requires a short period of time when the young person will be kept away from the other residents but providing there is a constant and reassuring member of staff present and instantly available to the young person if not actually present in the room this is a necessary part of the admission process

5.6 The current model of care at Greenfields is based on “Therapeutic Crisis Intervention” (TCI), which was designed at Cornell University in the USA to address the needs and nature of the children and young people resident there.

5.7 We have seen TCI operate in a number of Local Authority Secure Children’s Homes and in Secure Training Centres in the UK, and we know that it is a model well liked and understood by staff and effective with children and young people.

5.8 Staff that we interviewed at Greenfields confirmed our assessment, although like their colleagues in England and Wales they are less confident about the capacity of the restraint mode inherent in TCI especially with larger and stronger teenagers.

5.9 Unpalatable as it may be to discuss the “restraint” of young people in care it is occasionally necessary to prevent harm to the young person themselves, to other young people or to staff.

5.10 The issue of “single separation” (to give the technical term used for what in Jersey has been described as “isolation”) has been, and continues to be, a big issue in the care for children and young people in secure care.

5.11 However, to use single separation/isolation, the process whereby children are forcibly removed from association with others and confined to a room on their own as a punishment for misbehaviour, is clearly inappropriate and should never be sanctioned by any care regime.

5.12 A number of people who responded to my advertisement in the Jersey Evening Post wanted to talk about some of their experiences whilst living in Children’s Homes in Jersey. At the conclusion of these discussions, and with their full knowledge and agreement, I arranged for them to make contact with the Police Inquiry, as it was agreed from the outset of my inquiry that it would be more appropriate for the police to pursue such complaints.

5.13 I was also particularly pleased that the Howard League for Penal Reform accepted an invitation to visit Jersey and see at first hand the new Greenfields Unit as well as the Young Offenders Wing at La Moye Prison. Their visit confirmed our understanding that the Grand Prix system had ceased to be in operation at Greenfields.

5.14 There are however occasions when severely disturbed behaviour is best dealt with by removing the child/young person from the company of others so as to not harm others and, to allow a “cooling off” period for the young person concerned.

5.15 Provided that regular supervision is in place and, if there is concern about the possibility of self harm more observation is established, the process itself need not be damaging to the child/young person.

5.16 It has not been possible to know with any certainty whether or not this process, used as described above, in all secure centres in the UK as necessary, was overused or abused in the regime at Les Chenes in the past. There are at least two versions of what happened there and the only comment we can make on the subject is that, if a prima facie case exists or emerges that the system and, therefore children, were abused, action should be taken against those responsible.

5.17 One of the main issues to be addressed since Greenfields has opened is its future use in terms of occupancy. On the number of occasions I have visited the home, there have been very few residents. Whilst it is commendable that the States of Jersey has this provision to ensure that young people needing such accommodation are able to remain on the Island, (to facilitate parental, family contact etc), it is imperative that consideration is given to develop the full potential of the facility.

6. LA PREFERENCE CHILDREN’S HOME

6.1 Unannounced visits were made to all establishments and La Preference was no exception.

6.2 In general, managers and staff seemed committed to the care of the young people present and those young people we met, who were encouraged to talk to us by the staff appeared well cared for and largely content. The care regime was therapeutic, well understood by management and staff and systematically carried out.

6.3 All children had up to date plans and participated in their production and review.

6.4 The manager was keen to develop services for young people in partnership with other States agencies in order to make available a greater range of educational and career opportunities, especially for those leaving care. He described his work with his management team with concern and enthusiasm.

6.5 In summary we felt this establishment was in good hands and had a clear sense of purpose owned by the staff and the children alike.

7. HEATHFIELDS CHILDREN’S CENTRE

7.1 Two visits have been made to Heathfield, both unannounced, and on both occasions the home seemed to be running well and in a calm professional manner. I was given free access to talk to the resident young people and from my inspection records and Care Plans were up to date.

8. BRIG Y DON PRE SCHOOL GROUP

8.1 Similarly, I made an unannounced visit and was very impressed both by my reception and the open response to my questions and to the discussion with all members of staff present and of current issues facing the Children’s Service. I was encouraged to talk to some of the children and young people and was particularly pleased to hear of a support package being offered to a former resident of the home who lives nearby. The staff were very encouraged by a recent review day looking at Children’s Services for the Island. They are currently involved in discussions regarding the future role of Brig Y Don, which is owned by a Charitable Foundation. Together with the development of the Fostering Service on the Island, the purpose and function of the residential homes are currently being reviewed and the staff at Brig Y Don confirmed during my visit that they are keen to participate in the provision of services for children and young people.

9. RESPONSE TO ADVERTISEMENTS

9.1 Of the 65 responses to the series of advertisements, a significant percentage were from current or former users of the Children’s Service and they were critical of the service they had received. Given the personal nature of the work with children and families, there is often disagreement over what is in the best interests of a child, and therefore an aggrieved parent or relative. Nevertheless, it is imperative that all complaints are vigorously investigated to ensure that poor practice or lack of appropriate provision is identified. In a significant proportion of these complaints, the main area of concern was to do with a perceived lack of effective joint working between schools, Youth Action Team, CAMHS or voluntary agencies, and the Children’s Service on the Island. In following up these individual complaints, I also detected this underlying issue and apparent lack of cohesion. To illustrate this, there is good evidence of an attempt to deliver a “seamless” service at one of the secondary schools - Le Rocquier School. This does not appear to have been developed at the other schools. It was difficult to understand why this has not been developed as a more universal approach, and I would consider that, given the geography of the Island, a common system for access to the specialist services provided by the Children’s Service for potentially vulnerable children of school age and their families could be developed.

9.2 I have read the report “The Future of Children’s Residential Care” by the Social Services Management Team, and support the recommendations. The success of the programme to recruit more foster carers and adoptive parents has resulted in a significant reduction in bed occupancy at Heathfield and La Preference. This does present an opportunity to redesign the children’s residential provision within existing budgets.

9.3 Of the 65 interviews, there were four allegations of abuse while in the care of the Children’s Service.

9.4 These related to periods of time spent at Les Chenes, or in the care of foster parents in the 1990’s. Given the police inquiry into allegations of abuse in residential care, I advised the complainants to make contact with the police and provided contact details. This procedure was agreed with the Deputy Chief Officer of the States of Jersey Police. I subsequently confirmed that the police had been contacted and follow up interviews arrangements.

10. ISSUES IDENTIFIED FROM INTERVIEWS

10.1 Access to the Social Services Department outside office opening hours

10.1.1 This was raised by a number of people and agencies who had reason to make contact with the Department either in the evenings or at weekends. The current arrangements require contact to be made via the States of Jersey Police force. When such assistance is needed in an emergency situation, it is often for issues of a personal and complex matter and I have been told of reluctance to divulge confidential information to a third party agency. Given that the Children’s Service employs staff on a 24 hour, 7 day a week basis, e.g. at Greenfields I would recommend that serious consideration be given by the department to relocate the service and ensure an effective on call rota for senior managers to support the on call system.

10.1.2 There have also been access issues during periods of staff absence, when posts are vacant and although this is not such an issue when there is a full complement of field work staff, changes as suggested would in my view help improve the public perception of the service.

10.2 CAMHS

10.2.1 I have had a number of meetings with the Consultant Child Psychiatrist and the Clinical Psychologist (CAMHS) and other staff of this service. They are situated in a separate building in St. Helier which provides good facilities for working with children and families. Generally the service links well with other agencies and is keen to develop a flexible approach to meeting demand. Links with schools, the Youth Service and the Youth Action Team are crucial and proposals for a more integrated service in all secondary schools, with close links to primary schools, will assist in this process. Discussions are ongoing at the present time with senior managers of the relevant agencies to develop a preventative service which will play a significant part in the development of the fostering service and enable children to remain at home with their family and receive the necessary support.

10.3 Jersey Child Protection Service

10.3.1 The Jersey Child Protection Service has recently been subjected to much criticism as expressed in the public media by a former Minister for Health and Social Services. Part of the series of events resulting in my appointment to this inquiry was to do with the Chairmanship and leadership of the Jersey Child Protection Committee (JCPC). The former Minister for Health and Social Services, as one of his last acts as Minister before leaving the post, dismissed the former Chair of the JCPC – a voluntary, unpaid post, because of the alleged conspiracy in relation to the non disclosure of serious allegations of abuse by a formerly employed member of staff in a children’s home. There were further allegations of mismanagement of a serious untoward incident leading to a review of practice by all the agencies involved.

10.3.2 Professor June Thoburn, from the University of East Anglia was asked to assume the role of chairman of the JCPC for one year and Professor Thoburn has undertaken this role since 1st January 2008.

10.3.3 She immediately launched a thorough review of the work of the JCPC and all the reporting and monitoring mechanisms and I have worked closely with her to ensure she is kept fully informed of the progress of my inquiry. Professor Thoburn has similarly kept me fully informed of her developing role and the changes she is introducing into the role and processes of the Child Protection Committee.

10.3.4 Essential to this review is the need for distinction to be made between the strategic and monitoring role of the JCPC with respect to multi agency aspects of child protection and, the day to day work of the Children’s Service staff in supporting families and protecting children from maltreatment. These developments should make it more likely that any inadequacies in the child protection services will come to light and be appropriately addressed in timely fashion.

10.3.5 Given Professor Thoburn’s extensive knowledge of Children’s services and her significant standing in the Child Protection Service in the United Kingdom, I am very confident in stating that the service will be safe, effective and monitored to the highest standards.

10.4 Children’s Executive

This group was established in 2003 as one of the recommendations of the Bull Report. Membership of the Executive comprises senior representatives from the following Departments:

Education, Sport and Culture:

Principal Youth Officer.
Principal Educational Psychologist
Manager of The Bridge

Health:

Consultant Child Psychiatrist
Consultant Paediatrician

Children’s Services:

Directorate Manager Social Services
Service Manager-Children’s Service.

Social Services:

Co-ordinator, Children’s Executive.

Police:

Police Inspector.

Probation:

Assistant Chief Probation Officer.

Prison.

Prison Governor.

10.4.2 The Executive is accountable to the Ministers of the Home Affairs (HA), Health and Social Services (HSS) and Education, Sport and Culture (ESC) departments. It meets on a monthly basis and is currently chaired by Co-ordinator of the Children’s Executive.

10.4.3 I have met with officers who attend the Executive meetings, read the minutes of previous meetings and attended one of their meetings to observe at first hand the work of this group.

10.4.4 I have noted that there is a degree of confusion about its purpose and effectiveness given the generally agreed lack of clarity about its overall accountability.

10.4.5 The original proposal, as outlined in the Bull Report was to develop the concept of “corporate parental responsibility”. That in my opinion is a laudable objective. But in my judgement this does not seem to have been achieved. The Children’s Executive appears to operate within the Children’s Service of the Health and Social Services Department and has created an additional tier of management without a clear line of accountability or delegation to ensure a corporate approach to the care of looked after children and since it includes some families support services for children who may be in need of protection whilst living with their families.

10.4.6 These comments should not be interpreted as wholly critical or negative as there have been some positive developments from the Executive. For example, the club that meets at the Greenfield site for young people in the Alternative Curriculum is an innovative multi- agency approach which demonstrates a clear commitment to help these young people develop and return to school at an appropriate time.

10.4.7 My main concerns about the Children’s Executive concern the issue of clear lines of accountability for services for children within the States Assembly. The appointment of a Minister or Commissioner for Children and Young People would go some way to improving the current arrangements and clarify the issue of accountability. I would further recommend that the Children’s Executive be replaced by a Children’s Services Executive Committee at Chief Officer/Deputy level to be responsible for developing and delivering a Children’s Services Plan for all vulnerable children and their families.

10.4.8 The decision as to whether the States of Jersey should appoint a Minister or Commissioner for Children is complex and in my judgement finely balanced. The role of Minister for Children could create some confusion in relation to responsibilities of other significant ministries - Education, Sports and Culture, and Home Affairs - but the benefits of having a single, senior appointment would give a very clear statement that the States of Jersey is determined to provide a high quality service for all children on the Island with clear lines of accountability. Whether the accountability should be for all children or for all vulnerable children who may be in need of additional services should be part of this discussion.
10.5 External Independent Scrutiny

10.5.1 One aspect of working in the public sector in a community that has a distinct geographical definition, which particularly applies to Health and Social Care, is the greater need, in my judgement, for external scrutiny of Services. Managing these services is complex and challenging and for obvious reasons securing appropriate external scrutiny in Jersey is more difficult but very necessary. A good illustration of this is the need for transparency of independence in the Reviewing post for Looked After Children. This is an essential post and the current arrangements, whilst being independent from the Children’s Service and making best use of available resources, in the opinion of many who either receive the service or work in it, are not judged to be sufficiently independent. I recommend that consideration be given to employing an Agency or an individual to undertake the functions of the Independent Reviewing Officer who is not resident on the Island. There are currently 77 children and young people requiring this service and this degree of external overview would provide a level of security for the Chief Executive that services are provided at a satisfactory level and are compliant with all legal requirements.

10.5.2 Further thought should also be given to engaging an organisation to carry out annual or bi annual inspections of the work of the Social Services department to provide independent verification that the required standards are being achieved.

10.6: Future direction

10.6.1 The States of Jersey Children’s Services have been subjected to a number of extensive reviews and as I write this report, there is the highly publicised, on going Police Inquiry into alleged child abuse at Haut de la Garenne, a former Children’s Home in the Island.

10.6.2 Inevitably such a long period of external review can lead to degrees of uncertainty and lack of decision making, and if this has been the case, it is now imperative that a clear, focussed strategic direction for the Children’s Service on the Island is established.

10.6.3 There are a number of areas of good practice which provide the necessary foundation on which to build the future services. The recent development of the Fostering Service must be acknowledged not only because of the initial success of the project but also because as it continues to develop it will provide an opportunity to redesign the provision of residential care for children and young people on the Island. This in turn will allow further discussion and development of the Department’s approach to services for vulnerable children across the age range and their families including Family Centres such as the La Chasse Centre, The Bridge and the Pathways project, managed by the NSPCC. These are developments that can be taken further and such development proposals might attract other voluntary organisations to come into partnership with the Department to improve the range of services available to children, young people and families.

10.6.4 Similarly the replacement of Les Chenes with the new building at Greenfields is a significant improvement in the provision of secure care for young people. The design of the building, which should be acknowledged as being of a very high standard will allow for a review of the use of the building, its links with La Moye YOI provision, and the opportunity to develop accommodation for all young offenders. Given the location of the Youth Offender Wing at La Moye Prison and the levels of occupation of the Greenfields accommodation there is an opportunity to use Greenfields to provide accommodation for all offenders under the age of 16 years. Given that on occasions Greenfields will also be providing care for a young person who has not committed a crime or placed on remand but requires specialist accommodation away from home or family, there are arguments against extending the use of the building in this way but we believe that given the design of the accommodation at Greenfields and the level of staff support, the remit for this building should be extended to provide necessary services for all those under the age of 16 years.

10.6.5 For those young people between the ages of 16 – 18 years, the arguments for and against transfer from La Moye to Greenfields, are more complex, and on balance we feel that such decisions could be taken on an individual basis, depending on circumstances at the time, occupancy levels, group dynamics of the resident population of the home, staffing levels etc and of course the needs of the individual. It might also be appropriate to consider the provision of separate accommodation, within the building, for young people with specific difficulties who are unable to live at home and who need supervision and support.

10.6.6 Television links could also be established with the Courts to reduce the need for transporting young people to Court for formal Hearings including remand. The Greenfields resource required significant expenditure and provides an opportunity for the Island to further develop the range of specialist accommodation with a high level of staff support in an efficient cost effective manner.

10.6.7 The Howard League for Penal Reform accepted an invitation to visit Jersey in May 2008 to look at the provision of services for young people in remand or in custody. I welcomed the invitation to this organisation to provide an independent expert report into this very serious and complex part of the penal system. They are expected to publish their findings in July 2008.

10.6.8 There has been much debate in the States Assembly about the appropriate age for residency at La Moye and Greenfields and the Howard League report will make recommendations in respect of this issue. There are, of course, arguments for and against any change to the present system but given the provision of the new secure unit at Greenfields and the possibilities being developed in the Foster Care Service (for example remand or bail fostering in appropriate circumstances) I do feel further consideration should be given to developing a more flexible approach to the use of the whole site.

10.7: Children’s Plan

10.7.1 The Children’s Service is currently implementing the common assessment framework for planning and assessing the needs of vulnerable and their families who may be in need of a specialist service. I would recommend the States of Jersey consider a biannual requirement for a Children’s Plan to be published and the recommendations adopted by all relevant agencies. This would also give the Minister for Children a clear strategy for the development of services and a yardstick by which to assess performance and delivery. The Plan for children and young people would incorporate the policies for the following:

A Children’s Plan should include:

Early years;
Playschemes;
Daycare registration;
Child health strategy;
Child and adolescent mental health strategy;
Children who are vulnerable following the divorce or separation of their parents;
Taking account of children’s needs in a housing strategy – especially in relation to the location of schools;
An Island wide approach to the management of bullying;
Youth Action Strategy including restorative justice;
Increasing opportunities for Educational success;
Skill development;
Literacy, numeracy and the review of the primary curriculum;
Connected youth strategy;
Youth alcohol strategy;
Secondary education;
Restorative justice;
School at the heart of the community;
Arrangements to identify and intervene early for children who need additional help;
Special Needs;
Parenting Strategy;
Inclusion;
Alternative educational provision;
Detached youth work.

And would lay the foundation for the longer term planning to structure services to deliver the desired outcomes and develop a model for workforce development.

10.9 Staffing

10.9.1 I have conducted interviews with members of staff, visited offices and Children’s homes on a number of occasions and discussed relevant issues concerning the Children’s Services with many other agencies, both statutory and voluntary on the Island.

10.9.2 The majority of the staff of the Children’s Service are appropriately qualified and although there are recruitment difficulties from time to time, there is a positive approach to recruitment and forward planning in an effort to ensure continuity of service.

10.9.3 With regard to staffing levels to meet service demand I am not aware that this is an issue when all the posts are occupied and active. Inevitably issues of cover, absenteeism do arise from time to time when posts fall vacant unexpectedly as when illness or extended periods of leave occur.

10.9.4 One of the most significant conclusions from my series of interviews with members of staff is that there is a general feeling of lack of support or awareness of the difficult and complex issues staff face when working with very vulnerable children and their parents and carers. There was a general reluctance to be identified as expressing these concerns but on a number of occasions members of staff have said they would not expect to be supported in taking difficult decisions and stated “you are on your own”. Whether this is fact or illusion, this issue must be addressed and systems established for staff to be able to voice concerns without fearing instant rebuttal or challenges of malpractice.

10.9.5 This is particularly so when staff are dealing with complex access/residence issues following marital separation and when both parents are challenging the decisions taken by the social care staff. There is a view by some of those involved that making a complaint or seeking further discussion is responded to in a defensive manner which does not allow further debate. This concern has also been expressed to me by Voluntary Agency staff and it appears to me that the Children’s Service is sometimes seen as defensive and resistant to challenge. These criticisms will not come as a surprise to the Social Services Managers as they have been aware of these issues for some time and in fact in 2007 presented a paper proposing an Advisory Service be established based on the CAFCASS service in the U.K. The proposals would draw from existing service within the Children’s and Probation Services with some additional funding requirement for management and administrative resources but the workload demands for such a team should keep the additional funding to a minimum. I feel this proposal is worth developing as it will provide an additional level of scrutiny to a part of the Children’s Service that is often criticised and under pressure from external agencies. Any such developments will need to take into account the work of the Independent Chair of the Children Protection Conferences and of the Independent Reviewing Officer to enhance the quality of the service without unnecessary duplication.

10.10 Induction process for staff

10.10.1: Training

10.10.2 Whilst there is a training programme for all staff there is some disquiet amongst practitioners that this is too prescriptive and does not build on the Training Needs Analysis approach that has been successfully implemented in some Social Care Departments in the UK. A large part of this approach is to design a training and development programme for the individual member of staff and is based on access to good quality supervision/mentoring and the design of a development plan for the individual rather than an annual training programme for all staff. Given the complex nature of much of the work undertaken by the staff of this department the individual training needs analysis approach should be considered as part of the overall drive to ensure a high standard of practice.

11. CONCLUSION

11.1 Given the intense media interest generated by allegations of abuse at the former Children’s Home, Haut de la Garenne, and the very public departure of a former employee of Greenfields Secure Unit, it is not surprising that I found a dispirited work force who feel a lack of public recognition for their work – some of which is of a high standard.

11.2 The public response to my series of advertisements was in excess of 65 and of these, 4 involved allegations of abuse whilst in the care of the Children’s Service. These have been separately investigated and with the consent of the individuals concerned they were referred to the police.

11.3 Considerable effort has been made by both the Police and myself, and my administrative support, to ensure no contacts are lost in the process of redirection and nothing in the process of this inquiry could adversely impact on the Police Inquiry.

11.4 To ensure a full and proper record is kept of this process, I have requested that I provided a Witness Statement to the police to assist the official recording of their Inquiry.

11.5 I have read a large number of relevant reports produced by the Children’s Service and other relevant agencies and these are listed in the Appendices. I have also read with great interest the Report by Professor Kathy Bull, into the Provision of Services for Young People with Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties and Disorders which was submitted to the States of Jersey Government in December 2002. This was commissioned by the Education, Health and Social Services and Home Affairs Committees and was an extensive piece of work culminating in 50 recommendations. The Bull Report, as it is known, marks a significant event in the development of the Children’s Service in Jersey. For example it was the Bull report that recommended the establishment of the Children’s Executive, with the aim of developing the role of the Corporate Parent within Government. It also recommended the development of the Fostering and Adoption Service which has seen significant progress over the past year.

11.6 Of all the responses to the advertisement the majority expressed some dissatisfaction what they perceived as a lack of quality of the work undertaken with either the complainant or complainant’s family. Given the nature of the work undertaken by the Children’s Service, it is not surprising to receive such comments, but a common issue that arose throughout was the perception either by individuals or other agencies of difficulty of access to the service.

11.7 I have discussed this complaint with the Management Team who, whilst accepting the complaints, believes this reflected a time when the Service was coping with a number of staff vacancies. This has now been rectified and hopefully concerns about the Department’s services have improved.

11.8 I have made contact with many other agencies working with children on the Island and whilst concern has been expressed at the difficulty of making contact, the general response is that there is a need for a more “joined up” approach to providing services for children and young people. This is not to deny that there is some very good work taking place every day, but more could be achieved if an agreed set of objectives and approaches can be formulated across the Island. To this end the development of a Children’s Plan, possibly reviewed on a biannual basis, should provide the necessary framework.

11.9 With regard to the provision of appropriate training and development opportunities, there is a training programme and staff joining the department are provided with an induction programme. However, there is a need to ensure these programmes are coherent at the qualifying and post qualifying levels and are also individually tailored to ensure the members of staff meet the requirements for the renewal of their professional registration.

11.10 There are currently three residential homes for children and young people managed by the Children’s Executive and one home, Brig Y Don, which is owned and managed by a local charitable institution. Two of the homes, Heathfields and La Preference are large buildings that are often underused – mainly as a result of the success of the developing Fostering Service. I understand that the Children’s Service is currently in the process of negotiating a new contact with the charity that provides the service at Brig Y Don Home and is looking at likely future demand for residential provision. Given the continued investment in preventative services and the Adoption and Fostering programme, there is an opportunity to determine future requirements and the potential for development without the need for additional finance.

11.11 The third residential home, Greenfields, has been the centre of significant interest. The Centre provides secure accommodation for young people in a newly opened and much praised building. At the time of writing this report, the Howard League for Penal Reform are writing their report following a two visits to Jersey in May and June 2008 which included meeting staff and residents at both Greenfields and La Moye Prison YOI wing. Early indications are that their recommendations will be to do with expanding the role of Greenfields, challenging the use of custodial sentences rather than a welfare approach for young people and establishing a separate policy for youth justice.

11.12 It is considered that with some minor alterations more effective use could be made of the building which is an impressive resource in terms of design but more flexibility needs to be built in to the structure to develop opportunities to maximise the resource.

11.13 I am pleased that following their initial visit the Howard League have confirmed the view of both Peter Smallridge and myself that the “Grand Prix” system is no longer in operation and a welfare model of care of residents is the prevailing approach.

11.14 I have met with the Board of Visitors of Greenfields, looked at all their reports, visited on a number of occasions, met individually with members of staff who have wished to see me, talked to a number of resident young people – again without staff members present or within view and read all the files of young people who have stayed at Greenfields since it opened. I am confident that with the proposed changes the resource will be well used and able to provide a positive influence on the lives of some of the young people of Jersey.

11.15 An essential requirement in the provision of a safe, high quality service for children and young people is the encouragement of external advocacy for children looked after by the States. The appointment of an Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) who would guarantee that personalised planning is provided for all children looked after, and provide external scrutiny of the work carried out by the service. Whilst I accept that attempts have been made to provide this approach, there is an IRO in post who is resident on the Island, a more transparently independent post would be to the benefit of both the children and young people and their families and the Managers of the Service.

11.16 One of the terms of reference of the inquiry was “Child Protection” and whilst I have looked at this service with considerable interest, attended meetings of the JCPC and interviewed members of the Committee, I have been very aware of the work undertaken by Professor June Thoburn.

11.17 Professor June Thoburn, was asked by the States of Jersey to review the work of the JCPC and assumed the role of Chair in January 2008, for an initial 12 month period. I have sought to work closely with Professor Thoburn in looking at the work of the JCPC and recommendations to the structure and the terms of reference to ensure the integrity of the Committee and to clarify the status and authority of the JCPC in relation to the Child Protection work on the Island. I am more than satisfied that the work undertaken by Professor Thoburn will achieve these ambitions and lay the foundations for the JCPC to operate effectively and efficiently as a stand alone, authorative Committee, ensuring the work of the various agencies involved in Child Protection within the Island is of the highest standard, and answerable for its work to the appropriate departments and Ministers and to the people of Jersey.

11.18 The Children’s Executive Group meets on a monthly basis. The establishment of the Group was recommended in the Bull Report to develop a “Co-ordinated approach to the delivery of services for children and young people” and I would assume assist in the development of the role of the Corporate Parent for the States of Jersey.

11.19 Having looking at the broad papers, interviewed members of the group and attended a meeting of the group I remain unclear as to its function and more importantly the line of accountability to Ministers. This is not to say that the Children’s Executive has no value – indeed the dynamic approach towards rationalising Children’s residential services and the development of groups for children and young people excluded from school demonstrate the value of the Executive but I remain concerned at the Executive’s lack of clear accountability in such an important area of care for children.

11.20 The Corporate Parent Group composing Ministers for ESC, HA and HSS is unclear about the actual lines of accountability and in my view such clarity is crucial in this field of public service. I consider the time may be right to take this development to the next stage and appoint a Minister with responsibility for Children, who would have the over-arching responsibility to ensure the delivery of a coordinated service for all children. The structure and responsibilities of the Children’s Executive would then need to be reviewed to ensure the resources of the States of Jersey for Children and Young People are used and developed to best advantage. A good illustration of the need for this work is demonstrated in my judgement in the impressive work of the Jersey Youth Service, while the role of the Youth Action Team (YAT) seems unclear in terms of delivering a comprehensive multi-agency service for young people across the Island. With clearer lines of accountability more can be achieved from the present level of service investment.

11.21 Many of the conclusions lead me to recommend a review of the management structure of the Social Services Department and I have held a number of discussions with the Chief Executive of the HSS department to pursue these ideas. As I stated at the outset of these conclusions many staff feel they have been on the receiving end of intense scrutiny and criticism for a long period of time and it is the responsibility of the senior managers to ensure that high quality services are provided for children and young people which use and develop all the skills available within the Department.

RECOMMENDATIONS

12.1. At the conclusion of this extensive investigation into issues relating to child protection in Jersey, I should like to make the following recommendations:

1.Create the post of Minister for Children whose responsibilities should be determined following discussions about whether the scope of this role should be for all children or specifically vulnerable children and their families.

2. Re design Children’s Executive to report to Minister.

3. Appoint external organisation to review Children’s Service on a bi annual basis.

4. Appoint external Reviewing Officer.

5. Establish group representing users of remodelled Children’s Service.
6. Refine contractual approach to external agencies eg NSPCC Brig Y Don, The Bridge.

7. Consider future role of children’s residential homes with a possible minor redesign of Greenfields to develop a range of services available at Greenfields.

8. Develop a new management structure to ensure all services – CAMHS, YAT, Youth Service and Schools contribute to well being of children and young people.

9. Develop whistleblowing policy for all staff.

10. Develop a link between the Greenfields Secure Unit and La Moye Youth Offenders Wing with the Jersey Child Protection Committee to ensure that the safeguarding responsibilities are maintained.

11. Replace the present Emergency Duty system which uses the Police Service by one which uses 24 hour Health and Social Services availability.

Andrew Williamson
30.06.2008

Acknowledgements.

The Inquiry has been complex and demanding - given the parallel running of the major Police Inquiry into alleged abuse at former Children’s homes and an employment appeal relating to one of the major Children’s resources on the Island.

It has been necessary throughout this process to ensure that my work did not in any way adversely affect the smooth running of the 2 separate enquiries.

I was also aware of the review of the Jersey Child Protection Committee by Professor June Thoburn and the need for this to be independent from my inquiry.

I am assured by all parties mentioned that these various enquiries have not been adversely affected by running concurrently.

This is due in no small measure to the excellent administrative support I have received from Mrs Lyn Houguez of the States Greffe Department and many of her colleagues and Mrs Tina Soley and colleagues from the Chief Minister’s Department. I should also like to thank the Greffier of the States of Jersey, Mr Michael de la Haye for his assistance and guidance in understanding the operational systems in Jersey.

Throughout this inquiry I have found all Ministers, Senators and Deputies and staff of the various Departments of the States of Jersey to be helpful and supportive in their responses, as have the Voluntary and Independent agencies. My thanks also to Peter Smallridge, for readily agreeing to work with me, to help me achieve a balanced and thorough approach through all our investigations.

Finally my thanks to those residents of Jersey who made contact with me, not only in relation to their own complaint or experience, but also to help in building a first class Children’s Service for the Island of Jersey.

Andrew Williamson
30.06.2008

RESULT!

2008-07-03T17:58:00.002+01:00

Oligarchy Terrified of Jersey Charter!

And it isn’t even fully written yet!

Just a brief post to keep you up-dated in respect of the fall-out from yesterday's victory by the Jersey oligarchy.

I mentioned in my closing speech that I would be attempting to launch a Jersey Charter movement – which will hopefully be in a position to contest the forthcoming elections on the basis of a set of simple, fundamental principles of democracy, justice, accountability and freedom.

I subsequently spoke to the local media about this idea.

The undisguised naked panic and terror on the part of the oligarchy has been wondrous to behold.

I know from journalists – local and national – and various other sources, that the Jersey establishment has – for quite some time - been very, very worried about the possibility of me getting involved in some kind of political movement.

Other attempts at organised politics in Jersey – past and current – have been viewed with contempt by the establishment; indeed – even regarded as a helpful bogeyman with which to frighten the voting public. This isn’t a criticism of those who have, or are, making such efforts – but there is no escaping the reality that they simply haven’t been credible or regarded as a real threat.

But now – with the unprecedented degree of public contempt for the establishment, the various disasters and scandals engulfing them – and the looming elections – a shiver has gone down their collective spine.

They know that – this time – this might just be it.

Over 800 years of entrenched and, effectively, unopposed power could finally be about to crumble.

To be honest – the incompetence, arrogance and hubris of the establishment - their seemingly un-ending succession of disastrous misjudgements - has actually been very helpful to our cause.

For example, as I’ve said to some people, Phil Bailhache’s speech last Monday – in which he attacked me and made manifestly insupportable assertions concerning the Jersey judiciary – was brilliant. If I had written it myself – I couldn’t have calculated it to be more damaging to the establishment.

And the vibe I’ve picked-up – both freely offered – and – err – overheard – is that the powers-that-be in Jersey are afraid – very afraid.

As I said in previous posts, I’ll write a detailed autopsy of the debate and the oligarchy when I have time – this is just a brief up-date.

But in the mean time – just check out today’s copy of The Rag – AKA, the Jersey Evening Post.

Jersey’s only newspaper has always – throughout its 118 year history – been the house-journal of the island’s oligarchy. The bias – and worse, actually – such as the concealing of child abuse scandals – by the Jersey Evening Post has been beyond parody – by some margin – for a very long time.

But – in 2 or 3 editions in recent weeks, it had actually shown some marginal movement away from total pro-establishment propaganda – and had actually challenged the authorities – and even published one or two anti-establishment stories.

Did this herald some final recognition on the part of The Rag of its embarrassing failure to even faintly appear like a credible part of the Fourth Estate?

No chance.

The Rag has always known that – to retain a faint appearance of credibility – it does have to - very occasionally – do the odd anti-establishment story. Hence their 2 or 3 recent examples of meaningful journalism.

But today – with the threat of the Jersey Charter movement – it’s straight back to business as usual.

For an example of the establishment’s fear, check out their editorial comment in today’s edition. It’s a classic.

And remember – when reading this – that I will write a detailed autopsy of the debate – in which I will include various quotes from the speeches given by other members – especially Senator Ben Shenton.

The Rag says of the Council of Ministers – and me - that:

“Their ability to meet targets and their generally measured approach fails to win popular support whereas the passion and demagoguery of Senator Syvret still succeeds in winning a degree of public approval – even when he so willingly sacrifices substance in favour of bitter invective, intemperate personal attacks and plain abuse.”

Got that?

The Jersey oligarchy are measured, calm, effective elder statesmen – who’s every utterance is a model of factually analysis, substance and polite and restrained interpersonal debate.

OK?

And my performance – by way of contrast – is merely ‘demagogic invective, of no substance.'

Now – fix those assertions by The Rag and its bosses in your mind – and then wait for my detailed analysis.

I’ll be providing you with a factual account of the debate – of what certain members said – and of what I said. Of the oligarchy’s speeches, we will be taking a particular look at Ben Shenton’s "measured" contribution of "substance" – in which he described me as a “destructive communist”, who’s speech had been “a me, me, me speech.”

No “demagoguery, invective or plain abuse” there, of course.

I’ll also be comparing and contrasting the written and verbal – err –contributions of the oligarchy during their removal of me last September.

Not to mention an account of the plain, evidenced, shameless lies they peddle.

As I’ve said many times before – you think I’m too hard in my judgments on the Jersey media?

Wait for my detailed response to events – and then judge for your selves – just who the vacuous, abusive, demagoguery comes from – me – or them?

Hell – I know I’m no diplomat – but frankly, my retaliatory efforts against the Jersey oligarchy are models of restraint compared to their output - and also have the certain advantage of being factual and evidenced - to the extent I'm prepared to be cross-examined on them under oath - when things come to court.

As they will - one way or another.

In the interim – result!

Naked fear and panic from the shysters.

If we needed any encouragement in our attempts to organise politically – this is it.

Stuart.

JUDGEMENT DAY PART 3!

2008-07-02T21:20:00.001+01:00

Not Sublime – Certainly Ridiculous.

Battle lost – predictably.

But - Now for the War.

Well – there we go – was I right? – Or was I right - in my predictions concerning the great debate?

As I said – 6 to 8 votes was my expected tally.

I've had lots of messages of despair – but I wouldn’t let this result get you down too much.

Christ – the last bloody thing I wanted to happen was a victory. Indeed – the fewer votes the better!

Mission accomplished.

Now – dear Jersey resident – the die is cast – you have both the voting predilections – and the – err – intellectual ‘standards’ of your elected representatives on clear display - for you to ponder.

And to do so in a particularly focused and clear manner – only a few months before an election.

I’m too tired to write at length now – but I will deliver the detailed autopsy in the next day or so.

For now – all I would say is this: the people of Jersey are now going to have a clear-cut opportunity to be rid of the stagnant era of traditional Jersey politics – and finally take charge of our destiny.

But – will the people take up this rare opportunity?

There is an old saying: you can take a horse to water – but you can’t make it drink.

If I may expand upon my metaphor, the people of Jersey are going to be taken to the river – from which they can – if they wish – drink the elixir of meaningful democracy.

Of course – the people may not wish to.

But after these forthcoming elections – the community can have no further great objection to the stale and rancid oligarchy, which, seemingly, 85% of the population despise. The chance for meaningful change will be there.

Whether you take it - is up to you.

Watch this space.

And by the way Syd, the cat, didn’t catch the mole – but I fear it’s only a matter of time.

Regards

Stuart.

JUDGEMENT DAY PART 2!

2008-07-01T20:13:00.002+01:00

The Battle Continues.

Well – the great debate is underway. And predictably – it is taking a very long time.

We adjourned, and will continue tomorrow.

Ooh! Can you bear the excitement - the suspense?

Actually – in truth it’s all pretty tedious. I find when preparing for a major debate, you focus your attention and energy on the preparation – and, often, by the time the debate comes around – you’re simply bored by it all.

Especially when the outcome – and even the speeches – are utterly predictable – as in this case.

Though, in fairness to the Jersey parliament – it does exhibit a certain unpredictability when contentious and close debates occur. On such occasions – it can be quite engaging.

The debate will almost certainly go far longer now that it has spread to a second day. Members overcome the boredom – to some extent – and seem to find a ‘second wind’ on the following day.

But hopefully, there will still be two or three interesting speeches.

I have received a lot of messages, comments and expressions of support – which I just don’t have the energy to plough through right now.

But I will – as promised – provide a detailed autopsy in due course.

My blog would appear to be having some effect – which it wouldn’t do, of course, without you, my dear readers. Even the one who calls me “c**t” contributes – unwittingly, I guess – to the viral-like spread of my ramblings.

Now no significant debate passes in the States without some member or other referring to the blog - though they rarely name it. They wouldn’t want to encourage even more people to read it. Which is, I guess, understandable – as I now have a greater readership than The Rag – AKA – the Jersey Evening Post.

For example – Big Frank referred to it – when listing the number of high, Jersey establishment people I had administered kickings to in my various writings here. Though he can’t have been paying that much attention – as he said that the Dean – the head of the Anglican Church in Jersey - and who sits in the island’s parliament, bizarrely enough - had escaped my – err – attentions.

No – he hasn’t. Regular readers will recollect that I have pondered in these writings – just why he should have failed to support me – when the oligarchy stopped my Christmas speech of empathy to abuse survivors.

Especially when he used the very same biblical quotes a few months later – that I had been prevented from delivering in the assembly.

It is, though, a comparatively minor criticism; proportionate, I feel, to his involvement. I do try to proportion the scale of my metaphorical batterings according to the de-merits of the targets.

For example – the oligarchy have suddenly decided that Jersey should become completely independent from Britain. And guess who are the driving forces behind this move?

Why – the Bailhache Brothers - of course.

I described this cracker-barrel madness to the JEP as “the self-aggrandising fantasy of a couple of obsolete, spoilt, over-grown school boys.”

To my astonishment, the JEP actually printed it. Maybe they’re seeing the light – in which case I might have to stop being quite so – err – blunt about them.

But as I said – it is the readers which have made this blog such a great success, so thanks.

Hell – I’ve even achieved an ambition I long-held – namely to get the word “oligarchy” into common usage in Jersey – such is its succinct and entirely apposite descriptive accuracy of power in Jersey.

When you get Big Frank using the word ‘oligarchy’ during his speech – you know you’re having an effect.

And please spread word of this site’s existence.

We are many – they are few.

The greater becomes our communication and contact – the stronger we will be.

Right – I’m off to sample some Shiraz-Cabernet – and watch my monster cat digging moles out of the lawn – the vicious brute.

Don’t worry – if I see him catch any, I’ll rescue them and let them go.

Watch this space for the autopsy. (of the debate, that is - not the moles.)

Thanks

Stuart.

JUDGMENT DAY!

2008-06-30T14:03:00.001+01:00

Frank Walker & His Council of Ministers:

Look forward to seeing how your politician voted.

So, here we are, dear readers - on the eve of debating your vote of no-confidence in Jersey’s Council of Ministers. As a result of your opinions as expressed in my poll, I tabled the proposition to get rid of Big Frank & Co. The island’s parliament will begin debating it tomorrow.

Actually – I would have done it anyway, but look – at least I don’t pretend that “consultation” with you necessarily has an effect on my policy decisions. I’m being honest - unlike the establishment politicians – who “consult” in an attempt to be seen to be listening to you – and then just go and do whatever they wanted to in the first place.

But – somehow – in this case I just can’t help but get the distinct impression that a great majority of Jersey residents are in agreement with the proposition.

So – how will it go? What will be the flavour of the debate? What will be the outcome? How long will it last? How much more gross and biased interference will there be from Phil Bailhache or Michael Birt when they’re chairing the meeting? How many political interventions will Phil’s brother, Attorney General William Bailhache, make?

I’ve been a member of the States, Jersey’s parliament, for nearly 18 years, throughout which time I’ve been an opponent of the entrenched oligarchy – so I have an awful lot of experience in matters political in Jersey. And, using that experience, it is possible to predict pretty much how the debate will play out. And whether current public opinion will have any effect?

Public opinion of my position in Jersey politics is rarely neutral. I’m a bit like Marmite – you either like it – or you hate it; – there isn’t really an in-between. But on balance, I must be doing something right, as I’ve topped the poll in my last two elections.

But something strange has happened – since about December last year. The early stages of the political battle over the Jersey child protection disaster had played-out over much of 2007. Public opinion remained polarised and unchanged when the controversy was still merely political; that is, before the Police made the covert investigation public. I detected a clear shift in public opinion following the Police announcement of their investigation. Nothing dramatic at that stage – but certainly a noticeable hardening of anti-establishment views.

However, I estimate that a far more significant swing against the oligarchy occurred from December last year – caused by their truly extraordinary and unlawful silencing of my Christmas speech in which I was attempting to express some recognition and empathy to abuse survivors.

But since then the Jersey oligarchy has truly crashed and burned – and I can take no pleasure in it, given the horrifying nature of events. The Jersey establishment has dealt yet more and more grave blows against itself. Some of which have been comical – in a tragic kind of way.

On display we have seen ignorance, stupidity, gross incompetence, hubris and folly. So well-catalogued are these event in the eyes of the public, I needn’t rehearse them now.

But just to illustrate the final decadence of public administration in Jersey, we need only consider the events of recent days – which display nothing short of a breakdown in the rule of law in Jersey. Events promulgated by the oligarchy at the precise moment when a number of the Jersey survivors, UK based campaigners and me were at the House of Commons, speaking with MP’s and the national media – and arguing for intervention from London because of a breakdown in the good administration of justice in Jersey.

That kind timing; that kind of stupidity and incompetence doesn’t come easily; no mere amateur could match such folly. No – this could only be achieved after decades - and centuries - of unopposed power – and the resultant culture of unbridled arrogance, and the sense of omnipotence and invulnerability.

It is an ingrained, in-bred characteristic of the Jersey oligarchy. We see it displayed constantly.

Why were Frank Walker’s national media appearances a succession of train-wrecks? Because he and other senior figures in the Jersey establishment are used to simple deference, obedience and respect. And this is exactly how they are always treated by their media in Jersey, and BBC Jersey – which may as well rename itself Walker/Ozouf Broadcasting – so comically biased is it.

Therefore, the culture-shock to the Jersey oligarchy people – when confronted by real journalists asking challenging questions – cannot be exaggerated. They were – and are – like rabbits caught in the headlights, frozen with fear.

And it is this “performance” which has served to swing more and more of public opinion against them. Even pro-establishment business men are fervently counting the seconds until Frank retires at the end of this year.

So, does this mean that Frank & Co. will be swept away in the forthcoming debate?

Not a chance – though the debate and the resultant vote will certainly be interesting. So let us speculate a little on how things might play.

Jersey has a three-year electoral cycle. It is well-noted that politicians suddenly remember who they’re supposed to be representing as we get into an election year. And I suspect the vote on this proposition will reflect that influence. If this debate were happening, say, two years before an election, I’d get about 6 votes in favour. But as the first round of Jersey’s general election is only four months away – I suspect, somehow, that one or two votes will come my way which would not otherwise have materialised.

Will it make any meaningful difference to the outcome? No, not in the least. The three-line whip is out – and Frank & Co. will survive, comfortably.

What I do expect to see is a lot of abstentions. It is easy to imagine a number of members who, under normal circumstances, would not hesitate to vote with the Council of Ministers – suddenly finding some weasel-words in an effort to justify their refusal to nail their colours to the mast – one way or the other. With an election looming – which was always going to be a political bloodbath at the best of times – and Frank & Co. having plumbed unprecedented levels of public contempt – abstaining will appear an attractive option to a number of establishment members.

However – I don’t think the electorate will be so easily diverted. They put politicians there in order that they make decisions. Abstaining doesn’t go down well with the public at the best of times. Under these circumstances – the public will see abstentions for precisely what they are: a de facto vote for Frank Walker and his allies – but one which the members concerned didn’t have the courage to commit to overtly. It is easy to see the abstainers garnering the most public disapproval of all.

These kinds of debates have the potential to go on for days. Personally – I really hope we deal with it more speedily than that. We all know the outcome is a forgone conclusion; we all know that only one or two members will be influenced by the debate – if that.

However – another feature of election years is that normally somnolent members suddenly feel a compelling need to make lengthy and tedious speeches during every debate – quite regardless of the fact that such interventions usually serve only to demonstrate how little they know of the subject under discussion.

So – probably, yes; it will go on for a long time.

Frank has always been one-dimensional politically. A one-trick pony. His sole modus operandi in debate is attack, attack, attack. And who can blame him – given that such is the quite overt anti-intellectualism of the States – that it’s a tactic which works. Members generally far prefer a good dose of ad hominem abuse – as it serves so well to divert attention from the real issues and to protect them from having to deal with uncomfortable facts. So expect a great deal of diversionary attacks upon me and a few others – rather then any meaningful attempt to address the fundamental problem; this being that Jersey has a cabinet – a government – which about 90% of it’s people want rid of.

So that brings us to Phil Bailhache and Mike Birt – Bailiff and Deputy Bailiff – one of whom will be chairing the meeting. The pro-establishment bias exhibited by these two men is, frankly, comical, such is the total lack of subtlety in it.

For example, standing orders require that speeches must be relevant to the subject under discussion – yet either of these two will permit Frank Walker, Phil Ozouf, and their various lickspittles to depart from the matter under discussion in an effort to mount irrelevant and diversionary attacks on their opponents. But were the position reversed, any anti-establishment members would be quickly told to desist and focus on the subject under discussion.

And will Phil’s brother – Attorney General Bill Bailhache – find some pretext for speaking in a no-confidence debate? Probably – he does seem to have taken leave of his senses just lately.

So – in general terms how will it all pan-out?

Whatever the details of the debate – it will be yet another example of the tragedy and farce which have become the staple product of the States of Jersey.

Somehow – I don’t expect it to be a particularly edifying spectacle; more significantly – I don’t, sadly, expect the debate to produce any great advancement or satisfaction to the people of Jersey. At least – not of itself.

But it is the longer-term effects of the debate which remain imponderable.

I’ll report back in due course, so we will be able to carry out an autopsy on the debate – and the polity which produced it.

Stuart.

GREEN INK FROM THE PAEDOPHILES

2008-06-27T11:32:00.001+01:00

A Brief Selection of Assorted Ravings

Some more entertainment.

In a comment under my last post, I shared with you one of the delightful ‘perks’ which come as a part of ‘the-deal’ - for battling a corrupt, entrenched oligarchy. No such benefits as a pension provision, company car, health insurance or other such mundane extras accrue as a reward for fighting to expose decades of concealed appalling child abuse.

No – instead my reward is the occasional comedic ‘green-ink’ abuse which arrives from the paeds, the civil servants supporting the paeds, and spotty, trustafarian nephews of the paeds – who sit in sad, masturbatory isolation before their computer screens wondering how long it will be before the family trait grips them.

The entertainment value of these things is wonderful. Unintentional comedy somehow always seems so much more funny than the contrived variety. Some of you may be familiar with the Guardian column of Simon Hoggart. Readers send him copies of those appalling smug and self-regarding ‘family messages’ which some are wont to send to everyone they know around Christmas time – informing them of Leticia’s splendid A-level results and how Darius is doing marvellously at the pony club. Each year Hoggart publishes a selection of some choice passages – and both wondrous and bizarre is the solipsism on display.

The thought occurs to me that I will copy Hoggart’s approach – and every Christmas publish a selection of the various bits of obnoxia which arrive in the course of a year.

But as a teaser for this forthcoming attraction, here are few examples to whet your appetite. I have asterisked the – err - more forthright phrases, but apart from that the selected, Wildean sentences reproduced here are as I received them.

“save (sic) us all the moaning and just hurry up and commit suicide - or get yourself committed you sad little twat!
You wont (sic) be missed.”

My correspondent goes on:

“YOU ARE A TWAT!!!”.

Another, in what one would have to concede, displays a certain economic elegance, simply writes

“c**t”

Though, again, the absence of capitalisation tends to let down this submission.

Really quite splendid, though, is the following epistle:

“YOU ARE A C**T STUART SYVRET PLAIN AND SIMPLE AND A F**KING LIAR AND A COKEHEAD YOU LITTLE PRICK I HOP (sic) YOU DIE”

Not quite perfect, as the absence of the obligatory three exclamation marks lets it down a little. But the full-on, shrieking capitalisation certainly meets the expected standard.

I must check if it’s possible to place a font-colour selection feature in the comments box. I accept that the full, artistic urges of my correspondents are hampered somewhat by not being able to select a green font colour for their belles-letres.

So that’s a selection of my correspondence from the paeds, the child-batterers, abuse-concealers and their various supporters. None, though, I feel, is quite up-there with the piece of obnoxia received by Rod Liddle, when he was Editor for BBC Radio 4’s Today program. One of the very few mementos he took with him when leaving the job was an envelope upon which was scrawled the simple address: “Liddle, Zionist Fascist Jewboy, the BBC”.

Classy.

Such are the joys of public life.

Stuart