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Independent inquiry into Kerelaw
01/11/2007
Plans to hold a joint independent inquiry into institutional abuse at Kerelaw School were announced in Parliament today.
Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government are acting together to set up a wide-ranging independent inquiry into events at Kerelaw, to be chaired by former senior civil servant Eddie Frizzell.
Investigations of abuse at Kerelaw revealed an unacceptable and long-standing history of abuse of children and the school was closed in January 2005.
Children and Early Years Minister Adam Ingram told Parliament that he wanted the inquiry
- to secure comprehensive insight into the circumstances that led to the abuse that occurred at Kerelaw
- to examine Glasgow City Council's stewardship of Kerelaw School
- to consider the steps taken by Glasgow City Council subsequent to the closure of Kerelaw School.
- to identify recommendations relevant to ensuring that the contributory factors which led to abuse at Kerelaw never happen again
- to identify any other issues which the Kerelaw inquiry considers relevant to the safe care of young people in residential settings
Mr Ingram said:
"The young people who attended Kerelaw were amongst the most vulnerable in society. They deserved dedicated support and care that would help them overcome the challenges they faced in life and set them on the path to a positive future.
"It is unacceptable that this was not the experience for some pupils. These young people were let down. It is the role of government at local and national level to protect our young people.
"That is why this government and Glasgow City Council are working together to learn the lessons. We owe it to those young people who have suffered abuse to examine, fully and independently what insights we can secure from Kerelaw.
"Former staff members should also have the opportunity to have their say. Both Glasgow and the government will co-operate fully with the inquiry and are committed to learning from any failings exposed through this independent and rigorous inquiry."
Glasgow City Council Leader Stephen Purcell said:
"This council has already actively addressed issues on effectiveness of arrangements for safeguarding accommodated children, identifying concerns and managing complaints and allegations However, we now have an opportunity to gain a deeper insight into the circumstances around abuse at Kerelaw.
"An inquiry securing the participation of former pupils, staff, the inspectorates and stakeholders will assist in identifying any further measures to help better protect the children of Glasgow and Scotland.
"I am absolutely confident this inquiry will yield recommendations that should ensure the safe care of young people in residential settings in Scotland."
Mr Frizzell said:
"I was pleased to accept the invitation from the Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council to chair the independent inquiry into the abuse of children at Kerelaw. The people of Scotland must be able to have confidence in the public authorities entrusted with the care of vulnerable children, and the Inquiry provides an opportunity to learn from past events at Kerelaw and prevent abuse occurring again in residential care in Scotland."
Glasgow City Council decided to close the school in August 2004 and closure was achieved by January 2005. The investigation process continued and a number of staff were the subject of internal disciplinary processes. Several of these cases are now being considered by the employment tribunal. In June 2007, a report on a range of follow-up actions was presented to Glasgow City Council's Policy and resources Committee. The Minister for Children and Early Years called for further reports from the Council and the inspectorates. These were received in September. Following further discussions and correspondence, the Council and Government agreed to hold an independent Inquiry.
Eddie Frizzell is currently Visiting professor in Public Service Management at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh.
He retired from the Civil Service in 2006, after seven years as Head of the then Scottish Executive Enterprise Transport and Lifelong Learning Department, with responsibility for economic and industrial development, further and higher education, vocational training and skills policy and lifelong learning. A graduate of Glasgow University, he worked for seven years outside the Civil Service before joining the then Scottish Office in 1976 as a Principal in the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
At the Scottish Office, he headed Divisions dealing with higher education and finance. He was First Secretary in the Office of the UK Permanent Representative to the European Communities, on secondment to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. He was Director of the inward investment agency, Locate in Scotland between 1989 and 1991 before he was appointed as Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service - a post he held until his move to head of the ETLL department.
A consultation on secondary legislation to establish a new vetting and barring system to protect children and vulnerable groups was also launched today.