Care Inquiry: What work is being done on the recommendations?
It has been 100 days since the report into historical child abuse in Jersey was published. Back in July, Jersey's Chief Minister committed himself, live on ITV News, to implementing all of the eight recommendations it gave.
ITV Channel TV has therefore asked Senator Ian Gorst for an update on those recommendations. He said that work has currently been focussed on three areas: appointing a Children's Commissioner, organising independent inspections and preparing an action plan for the States.
He also reaffirmed his commitment to bringing all of the recommendations in, and has said that he has told his team if they need more money to do that, they can have it.
RECOMMENDATION 1: A Commissioner for Children
The Care Inquiry Panel called this an 'essential appointment.
Jersey's government started recruitment for the new position in July and are doing interviews this week, with the aim of having the person chosen by the end of the month.
RECOMMENDATION 2: Giving children and young people a voice
When the report was published, the Chief Minister pledged to speak to young people in Care. He said this has not happened yet but it is still his intention. Groups have been set up to look at the recommendations and some looking at how best politicians can engage with children in care.
RECOMMENDATION 3: Inspection of services
The Care Comission is already doing work to see how best to get an independent body to come in and inspect care services.
The Chief Minister says he doesn't believe we have enough appropriate places that provide care here and the ones we do need to be'like family homes.'
When asked how long it would take for this to happen, Senator Gorst said he has asked for the first reviews to happen by the end of this year. The review would then need to report back before changes are made.
RECOMMENDATION 4: Building a sustainable workforce
The States of Jersey has just announced a high-profile month long campaign to attract experienced Children's Services staff to Jersey.
The Chief Minister also told ITV News that there also needs to be a culture change at public services, as they have 'forgotten their purpose.'
RECOMMENDATION 5: Legislation
The report said that 'legislation for children in Jersey has lagged behind the developed world' but the Chief Minister said that he told the Inquiry he didn't believe that was the case today. He said that in the past that might happened, but that since he became Chief Minister more resources have been put into social policy initiatives. There is also a new post of Director of Children's Policy and one of their roles is to bring in the recommendations.
Senator Gorst said we need to 'continue to make sure we are putting enough resource in' and it will become clear in the next few months if more is needed. He said he has been clear to officials that if they need more resources to bring in the recommendations then they should ask.
RECOMMENDATION 6: Corporate parent
Work has already begun, Senator Gorst says, on which 'model of the corporate parent' Jersey wants to follow. Independent expert help has been sought, and they will report back on some options for the States to consider.
RECOMMENDATION 7: The “Jersey Way”
This was a criticism of the perception of the system in Jersey 'whereby serious issues are swept under the carpet and people avoid being held to account for abuses that have been perpetrated.'
Senator Gorst said that he is already working to change the culture and the 'Jersey Way.' He said that he is starting by being very honest about where things have gone wrong and where changes need to be made and he will be 'leading from the front' to change that.
The Senator said this change is already being shown in the challenges he is getting from within the Council of Ministers.
RECOMMENDATION 8: Legacy issues
This included a recommendation to knock down former care home Haut de la Garenne and in July the Chief Minister said he would consult with care leavers about what they wanted to do.
That hasn't yet been done, but Property Holdings have been asked look at what budget would be needed to do a public consultation, and Senator Gorst recommitted to ITV News that care leavers would be asked their thoughts.