Ministers’ response to £23m child abuse inquiry to be examined

Thursday 07 September 2017

The Council of Ministers’ response to the findings of the damning £23million Inquiry into child abuse published earlier this year is to be examined.

The Chairman’s Committee has today announced a new review to scrutinise Ministerial policies, legislation and actions following the recommendations made in the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry (IJCI) report.

The IJCI was led by Frances Oldham QC, who presented the Panel’s 659 recommendations to reform Jersey’s care services.

Those recommendations included scrapping the dual role of the Bailiff as chief judge and Speaker in the States, demolishing infamous former children’s home Haute de la Garenne and ensuring that States Members understand and effectively execute their role as the ‘corporate parents’ of the island’s children.

They came as a result of 149 days of public hearings, the consideration of more than 136,000 documents and the accounts of over 200 witnesses.

Now the Committee, chaired by Deputy Sam Mézec, who will be supported by Deputies Tracey Vallois and Jackie Hilton and Senator Ferguson, will consider how effectively the Council of Ministers have taken to implementing those recommendations.

Deputy Mézec commented: “Making sure that the recommendations put forward in the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry are implemented correctly is a major priority for both current and future States Assemblies. The Review Panel will examine policy, legislation and other actions of the Council of Ministers as a result of the recommendations to make certain that what is being proposed is fit for purpose and helps to improve the care of children in Jersey.”