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The UK social work expert who was appointed chair of Jersey's child protection committee last year has told Community Care she was "deeply shocked" at revelations of past abuse on the island.

With a police search of the former Haut de la Garenne children's home now into its third week, June Thoburn said the committee may consider setting up a serious case panel and inquiry "to see what lessons can be learned" following the conclusion of the investigation.

She said: "My role is to make sure that the committee fulfils its role as an important strand of the safeguarding arrangements on the island.

"I am especially seeking to ensure that children living away from home now feel safe enough to tell someone they can trust if they are being maltreated."

Thoburn, who is also emeritus professor of social work at East Anglia University, was appointed last September by former health and social services minister Stuart Syvret who was later sacked after raising concerns about child protection in Jersey.

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Maria Ahmed