On Monday, the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry published its report on their three-year investigation into failings in our care system. Failings that should never have occurred.
We have now all had some time to start absorbing the full truth of those findings; to read of the harrowing experiences of children abused in a system that was supposed to care and protect but which, instead, exposed them to the cruellest of treatment and immeasurable hurt.
The Inquiry report is painful to read – but read it we must if we are to understand and agree what we must do as an Assembly, as a government and as a community, to make sure that we do not fail children again.
I have already stated that I believe we should implement all the Inquiry’s eight core recommendations, but that is a decision we must take together because, as was so clearly articulated in the Inquiry report, we are all corporate parents.
Every child who is in care in Jersey is in our care: this Assembly is responsible for ensuring that they are safe and that they receive the best possible care and support.
The Inquiry focuses attention on us as corporate parents. It recommends changes to our oath of office – a matter I have already raised with the Chair of the Privileges and Procedures Committee, as I know other members have.
In addition, officials are already actively engaged in considering how we may develop a stronger, common understanding of the associated responsibilities.
Advisory Panel
I will bring to this Assembly in October this year, a detailed and costed response to the eight core recommendations. In developing the report, we will give consideration to the 659 other recommendations referenced by the Inquiry.
I will be asking members, in our role as corporate parents, to agree the action to be taken, and the investment to be made.
In support of this, I have already established an Advisory Panel, consisting of members of this Assembly, whose role it will be to advise me on the actions required to deliver the Inquiry’s recommendations. Yesterday I invited
Deputy Doublet
the Deputy of St Ouen
the Constable of St Martin
Deputy Macon
Deputy Mezec
In addition to establishing that Advisory Panel, as Members already know, I have met with representatives of some care leavers. They have kindly agreed to work with us to consider how best to deliver the Inquiry’s recommendations, including those that relate to a permanent memorial and the potential demolition of Haut de Garenne – if care leavers wish that to happen.
I will also be meeting with representatives of children’s charities and campaign groups over the coming weeks to ask for their help. I know – from conversations that have already taken place this week between them and key officials – that they welcome the Inquiry’s recommendations, in particular those relating to legislation, to a sustainable workforce and to a voice for children. They are very clear that there had been failings, both at a service level and a political level.
Council of Ministers' Community Group
Indeed, it is clear from the Inquiry’s recommendations - and from the responses received to date that we must work collectively and that we must provide clear leadership. Both in short to medium term, as we respond to the Inquiry, and in the longer term.
The Inquiry describes – and I quote – “the lack of a culture of corporate working across departments and services”. It goes on to say that – again, I quote – “this is a matter which requires firm and visible leadership from Ministers and elected members and senior managers.”
I have therefore agreed Senator Routier’s proposal that a new Council of Minister’s sub-group should be established to provide political focus and oversight of all social policy matters.
This will include matters directly related to children – such as safeguarding and the modernisation of children’s legislation – and those matters which impact children because they impact families or professionals who work with children.
For example, matters relating to housing policy; our benefits system; potential changes to licences for key workers and their families; divorce reform; disability; substance misuse; violence against women and girls; sexual offences; and so forth.
This sub-group – which will be known as the Council of Ministers’ Community Group – will act as an enhanced Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy Group. It will be chaired by me and it will include key Ministers and other States Members.
I have already asked the Comité de Connétables to nominate a representative and I have already invited Deputy Hilton to sit on the group. She has agreed, for which I am grateful.
The Community Group will be supported by special interest working groups. As these are established, I hope that more members of this Assembly will choose to be activity involved. We have all recognised the need for a more inclusive, more collaborative approach to addressing the challenges we face. The Community Group provides that opportunity.
I already chair the Children’s Social Services Improvement Board, and, over the coming weeks, I will be seeking an invitation to meet with children in residential care homes. I would like to speak with the children who are in our care – if they want to speak with me.
Youth Service
I will also be asking the Youth Service to consider how I might best engage with other children; I want them to know that, as Chief Minister, I have an absolute duty to uphold the principles of the United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of Children, which we have had extended to Jersey.
The Youth Service are already putting together plans for a Voice project, one which will help ensure that we give children a voice – and that we listen to it. They are arranging a member’s briefing on 18 June.
The Inquiry is clear: we must give children a voice.
Children's Commissioner
This morning I signed a Ministerial decision to appoint a Children’s Commissioner. I did so with the support of fellow Ministers.
The recruitment for the Commissioner starts next week with the development of a detailed role description, produced in consultation with relevant stakeholders and experts. This will include seeking advice from UK-based Commissioners. I expect the adverts to be in place by the end of this month.
The Children’s Commissioner’s prime function will be to protect and promote the rights of all children and young people in Jersey. It is envisaged that this will include
- reviewing our laws, our policy and our operational practices to ensure they uphold the rights of children
- providing an independent complaints and investigation service
- ensuring children can access, and participate in, all aspects of Jersey’s society
- bringing to our attention any matter they believe is relevant
The Children’s Commissioner will hold us to account for hearing children’s voices.
And, as suggested by the Inquiry, it would also be the responsibility of the Children’s Commissioner to invite the Inquiry Panel back to Jersey to review our progress. I fully support that invitation.
Members will need to consider and approve legislation setting out the Commissioner’s statutory duties during the course of next year – but I do not intend to wait until that work has been done. I will move to appoint as soon as possible. The Commissioner will then be in place to help scope the necessary legislation.
Investment
Members will remember that we agreed in the Medium Term Financial Plan to invest £4.9 million in initiatives that support vulnerable children. A significant proportion of that funding has already been allocated to initiatives such as
- family support workers, who help vulnerable families to build essential life skills
- the Baby Steps universal antenatal provision, which supports new parents to build parenting skills
- the development of a special sexual assault referral centre, which provides a holistic service to victims of rape or sexual assault, irrespective of age
- additional staffing for the Police’s public protection unit, in order that they may continue to investigate cases of child abuse
- the Children’s Change programme – dedicated, experienced officers who will work to deliver the Inquiry’s recommendations
Further to that, I have now asked the Treasury and Resources Minister to allocate the remaining £1.8 million to a number of other projects, all of which support the Inquiry findings.
Approximately £96,000 will be set aside to ensure that children and their families, care leavers, service users, community champions and representatives of the voluntary sector can actively engage in the development of a Children’s Plan for Jersey.
This plan, which will be brought to this Assembly for approval, will place the Inquiry recommendations into a broader strategic context. As recommended by the Inquiry, it will set out exactly how we will ensure that the children – for whom we are responsible – achieve and fulfil their potential. It will do so for all other children as well.
Just over £850,000 will be used to fund additional specialist children’s legal advisors. This will allow us to respond to the increased number of children's cases that must be prepared for consideration by the Court. Cases that are arising as a result of the improvements starting to take hold in children’s social services. The funding will also allow Law Officers to invest more time into the development of children’s legislation.
We will also invest an initial sum of £195,000 in the development of an on-Island social work degree course – and will look to cover fees for twelve students starting in September 2018. As we know from the Inquiry, it is imperative that we build a sustainable workforce.
£170,000 will be invested in a specialised therapeutic service aimed at supporting families where the parents’ mental health – or other complex problems – prevents the parent/child bounding that is so critical to the wellbeing of children.
We will also invest in a new outreach service for children with special needs who attend mainstream education, and provide an extended Youth Enquiry Service.
Separation of powers
Earlier this week, I was asked in this Assembly what action should be taken with regard to the 'Jersey Way'. As we know, for some the 'Jersey Way' is seen as positive – in that it references culture of community and voluntary involvement.
For others, the 'Jersey Way' speaks of secrecy; a lack of openness; a failure to be transparent.
I am on record as saying that I support the separation of powers as recommended by Clothier and Carswell. But, to date, this Assembly has not agreed that position.
Now, however, the Care Inquiry has recommended that further consideration is given to this matter. They did so because they felt it had to be addressed, despite acknowledging that constitutional issues fell outside their terms of reference.
I have, therefore, already taken steps to establish a Members panel to advise on how to take this forward.
I will asked Deputy Tadier, Deputy Bree and Senator Ozouf to form this panel. I will be asking their advice on the detail of proposals to be brought before this Assembly, setting out the future role of the Bailiff.
Independent inspections
The Inquiry also makes very clear recommendations relating to the need for independent inspections.
Last year it was agreed by the Children’s Services Improvement Board that we would introduce regular, three-yearly inspections of our children’s services by an independent body. Discussions have already taken place, and the Health and Social Services Minister will confirm details in the near future.
However, in light of the Inquiry’s report and recommendations, I will be seeking these inspections on an annual basis for at least the next three years.
In addition, as Members will be aware, our residential children’s homes will be regulated and inspected by the independent Jersey Care Commission from early 2018.
We are in the process of setting up the Care Commission and, tomorrow, I will be announcing the appointment of the fifth commissioner; a local resident with direct experience of our Island’s care services who will help ensure that peoples’ lived experience is at heart of the Commission’s work.
Today is the day that we start a process of collective consideration of the Inquiry’s recommendations. It is an opportunity for us to discuss the content of the Inquiry report.
It is an opportunity to make clear to all Islanders – but, most importantly, to those who have suffered abuse – a collective commitment
- to protecting and nurturing the children in our care
- to creating a new culture – one that is open, transparent, and engenders trust
- to providing clear and visible leadership
- to modernising our legislation, our services and our policy
- to investing in a skilled, motivated and experienced workforce
It is also an opportunity for this Assembly to commit to listening to the voices of children. To the voices that echo down through the Inquiry; and to the voices of children and young people today.
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