Jersey Care panel hears former residents 'lack faith' that failings have been fixed

The panel investigating the way Jersey's authorities look after children has heard from those who have left care and say they still do not believe things have improved.

Chair of the panel, Frances Oldham QC, is back in the island nearly two years after the publication of the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry report which made a damming assessment of Jersey's care system.

The report published in July 2017 revealed decades of abuse and it concluded children may still be at risk.

Since then, the government has been working to act on the panel's recommendations which include introducing inspections of care facilities, greater efforts to tackle staff shortages and the creation of a Children's Commissioner to offer an independent voice to all youngsters in the island.

Alan Collins, a lawyer representing survivors of abuse and care leavers, says there is still concern change is not happening fast enough.

He was asked if they have faith in the system.

Others have seen improvements.

Lauren Burnett lived in residential care as a child and now works for the States of Jersey recruiting foster carers. She shared her experience with the panel during a series of public meetings at St Paul's Centre in St Helier this week.

The Children's Minister, Health Minister, Chief Minister, senior public servants, and those with experience of the care system are among those who've spoken to the panel this week, as well as Children's Commissioner Deborah McMillan.

The Jersey Care Inquiry panel will put together another report on the government's progress which is due to be published this summer.