In July 2021, The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) published its report into Children in the Care of Lambeth Council. It looked in detail at five of Lambeth Council’s residential children’s units:
- Angell Road;
- South Vale Assessment Centre;
- The Shirley Oaks complex;
- Ivy House; and
- Monkton Street.
Lambeth Council had been aware of individual allegations of sexual (and physical) abuse since at least the 1960s. This remained unchecked for decades.
Children in the care of Lambeth Council Investigation Report
IISCA examined the scale and nature of the sexual abuse experienced by children and the extent of institutional failures to protect the children in care from sexual abuse and exploitation.
Lambeth Council was only able to identify one senior Council employee, over the course of 40 years, who was disciplined for their part.
In June 2020, Lambeth Council were aware of 705 allegations of sexual abuse arising from three of its children homes (Shirley Oaks, South Vale and Angell Road). The biggest of those homes, Shirley Oaks was seen to have received allegations of abuse against 177 staff members or people linked to the home. It was closed in 1983.
The report found that many of the front line staff employed within those homes knew of the abuse the children were suffering, however, they failed to take any further action or show any compassion. In 2000, the Social Services Inspectorate (SSI) reported that potentially large numbers of children in Lambeth Council’s care had not even been allocated a social worker, meaning that those children placed in abusive foster placements had no one to confide in or report the abuse to. Most of the time the children were found to be too scared or frightened to report the abuse and if they did, the appropriate action was not taken. Shockingly, there were only six perpetrators convicted of child sexual abuse.
The Inquiry found that Lambeth Council failed by:
- Continuing to employ staff who knowingly posed a risk to children;
- Failing to investigate its employees when they were suspected of child sexual abuse; and
- Exposing children where they were at risk of sexual abuse despite having full knowledge of those risks.
Lambeth Council has now accepted the children in their care were sexually abused and that it failed them. An apology from the strategic director of children’s services was given on behalf of the Council – “We are sorry for when we let children in the care of Lambeth down” acknowledging that the Council “created and oversaw conditions…where appalling and absolutely shocking and horrendous abuse was perpetrated”.
The Inquiry recommended:
- Vetting checks for current foster carers
- Mandatory training on safeguarding for elected councillors
Lambeth Council created a Redress Scheme to compensate victims and survivors of abuse whilst in their care. The deadline for making an application is 1st January 2022.
How we can help
At Nelsons, our team of personal injury solicitors in Derby, Leicester and Nottingham understand that there are many motives for a survivor of childhood abuse wanting to bring a civil claim and we will guide you through the process. Whilst it is important to understand that the ultimate aim of a personal injury claim is to obtain financial compensation for the effects of the abuse you suffered, we will always try to obtain for you, if possible, the answers and apology you deserve.
If you suffered abuse, even if it was a long time ago, in a church setting, residential care or foster care, a sports setting or anywhere else you may be able to make a claim for compensation. If you would like confidential, free advice on whether you can claim compensation, please contact Dianne Collins or Helen Froggatt on 0800 024 1976 or via our online enquiry form.