Call for national inquiry into child abuse

Social care chiefs are to be asked to support a national
commission of inquiry into child abuse similar to the body launched
in Ireland last year.

Deryk Mead, chief executive of children’s charity NCH, is to
meet Irish government officials this summer to consider whether a
commission could work in this country.

He believes a joint initiative between the Association of
Directors of Social Services, the Local Government Association and
the Social Services Inspectorate could help develop a national body
to co-ordinate responses to abuse scandals.

NCH would be prepared to make a financial commitment to the
development, but insurers that work with organisations facing
compensation claims from victims of abuse, could also be approached
to help finance the initiative, he said.

Funding for at least six months’ development work would be
required, he said.

“We have put a lot of effort in with our insurance company to
make sure the whole system works as far as possible to assist
people who used to be in our care.

“But we now feel there may be a better way this can be
approached nationally,” he added.

A commission could help to codify the legal issues and good
management practice to ensure cases are handled more speedily and
effectively, he said.