17 August 2020
The Jersey Redress Scheme, which provides redress to people who, as children, suffered abuse or harm, between 1945 and 2005, will close to new applications at the end of this month (31 August).
The scheme, launched on 1 July 2019, is for people who were either a resident in a Government of Jersey children’s home, in a Government of Jersey foster care placement or accommodated at Les Chênes secure residential unit between those dates.
A previous scheme, launched in 2012, provided redress to people who suffered abuse or harm in Jersey’s residential care system. That scheme was launched before publication of the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry report which found failings in Les Chênes secure residential unit and government foster case, as well as residential care.
The Scheme was originally due to close to new applications on 31 June 2020 but that deadline was extended to 31 August 2020 due to Covid-19. The scheme opened to applications in 1 July 2019 and up until 30 June 2020, 176 applications have been accepted into the scheme. Of those applications, 137 offers of redress have been accepted by applicants. The other applications are still being determined.
The Minister for Children and Housing, Senator Sam Mézec, said: “This scheme recognises that, over a period of many years, the government did not act as it should have to protect children from harm and abuse in foster care and in Les Chênes secure residential unit, as well as residential care. We are sorry that we failed those children and their families. I would urge anyone who feels this may apply to them to contact the Scheme before the end of this month.”
Application forms are available:
Or from:
- Jersey Citizens Advice Bureau, St Paul’s Centre, New Street, St Helier
- Customer and Local Services, Philip Le Feuvre House, La Motte Street, St Helier
- States Assembly Information Centre, Morier House, Halkett Place, St Helier
- Jersey Library, Halkett Place, St Helier
Application forms must be submitted to the Redress Team at Morier House, Halkett Place, St Helier Jersey JE1 1DD.
If you have been affected by abuse in residential or foster care and would like to speak to someone, you can contact Victim Support Jersey on tel: 01534 440496. Or, if you want to talk to someone out of hours, call Jersey Samaritans on Freephone: 116123.
Jersey Redress Scheme
gov.je