SIRCC welcomes Independent Inquiry into Abuse at Kerelaw Residential School and Secure Unit report

The Scottish Institute of Residential Childcare (SIRCC) has welcomed the report of the Independent Inquiry into Abuse at Kerelaw Residential School and Secure Unit.

 

Led by SIRCC, the National Residential Child Care Initiative (NRCCI) will consider the challenges facing residential child care in Scotland and make recommendations for change 'to make residential care the first and best placement of choice for those children whose needs it serves.'1

 

Jennifer Davidson, Director of SIRCC, said: “The findings of this report will be fully considered in the development and production of the key recommendations of the National Residential Child Care Initiative report (NRCCI).

 

“Alongside the work of the NRCCI this report provides a further and valuable opportunity for the continuing improvement and development of the residential child care sector in Scotland.”

 

The Independent Inquiry into Abuse at Kerelaw Residential School and Secure Unit report can be found at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/kerelawinquiry . This report directs the reader to the NRCCI for recommendations about residential child care on a wider scale2.

 

1 The Minister Adam Ingram's statement to Parliament, 7 February 2008, quote at column 5928: www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-08/sor0207-02.htm

 

2 The report describes the relationship between the Kerelaw report and the NRCCI in paragraphs 6.14-6.16 on page 33.

 

ENDS

 

Notes to Editors:

 

1. The Scottish Institute for Residential Child Care (SIRCC) is funded by the

Scottish Government and is a partnership of the University of Strathclyde, the Robert Gordon University, Who Cares? Scotland, and Langside College. It was established in 2000 with the aim of ensuring that residential child care staff throughout Scotland have access to the skills and knowledge they require to meet the needs of the children and young people in their care.

 

2. SIRCC has been commissioned by the Scottish Government to lead the National Residential Child Care Initiative, which is aimed at shaping the future direction of the services to suit children's needs. Further information from: http://www.sircc.org.uk/nrcci

 

3. “The Inquiry was commissioned by the Scottish Government and Glasgow City

Council in November 2007. Its purpose was to secure comprehensive insight into the circumstances that led to abuse at Kerelaw Residential School and Secure Unit over a period of years, to examine Glasgow City Council’s stewardship of the school since 1996 and to consider the Council’s investigation of what occurred and the arrangements following closure of the school between 2004 and 2006. The Inquiry was asked to make recommendations to ensure similar circumstances could not arise again and to offer any other insights relevant to

the safe care of young people in residential settings.”

 

(Independent Inquiry into Abuse at Kerelaw Residential School and Secure Unit report, page 3)

 

 

Further information:

Press Office

University of Strathclyde (on behalf of SIRCC)

T: 0141 548 2370

E: pressoffice@strath.ac.uk

 

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