Monday March 17 2003

by Amy Taylor, Nicola Barry and Alex Dobson

Judges free care home workers jailed for
abuse

Two care workers were freed by the Court of Appeal yesterday
after allegations of child abuse were dropped.

Basil Williams-Rigby, 57, and Michael Lawson, 62, were
originally convicted under Operation Care, a seven year
investigation, run by Merseyside police into alleged abuse into
children’s homes.

David Jones, the former Southampton Football Club manager, had
his conviction, made under the same investigation, quashed in
November 2002.

Source:- The Times Saturday March 15 page 10

‘Disgraceful’ plight of asylum children

The detention of asylum seekers’ children in Scotland has been
branded a disgrace to the nation by church leaders and
politicians.

The children in question are being held in Dungavel (correct)
detention centre near Strathaven in Lanarkshire, a former jail
which currently holds 80 asylum seekers who are waiting to be
deported.

Source:- The Guardian Saturday March 15 page 13

Asylum ‘boys’ we took in were conmen who stole and tried
to seduce our girl

Thousands of children are seeking asylum in Britain. One couple
who fostered two ‘victims’ were cruelly duped.

Source:- The Daily Telegraph Saturday March 15 page
4

Blunkett promises to fight ‘hidden racism’

David Blunkett, the home secretary, made a pledge to tackle
“hidden racism” inflicted on ethnic minorities in employment,
housing and education.

He also said that he would provide help for low-income white
communities where racism is driven by “fears and insecurity”.

Source:- The Independent Saturday March 15 page 8

Broadmoor women used to test progress of male sex
offenders, says former patient

Female patients at Broadmoor high-security hospital were used to
test out the progress of rehabilitation on male sex offenders,
according to a former patient.

“Catherine” (not her real name) alleges that female patients
were forced to get together with male offenders at what staff
called “the clinical disco”.

She also claims that the youngest female patients were “groomed”
by paedophiles at the institution and then sexually abused.

Her revelations come a week after Julia Wassell, the hospital’s
former director of women’s services, said she was forced to leave
her job after reporting to her bosses allegations of rape, sexual
harassment and indecent assault in the hospital.

Source:- The Independent on Sunday March 16 page 15

Ashworth investigates allegations of ‘multiple abuse’ at
social event

Allegations of sexual abuse against female patients are being
investigated at Ashworth high security hospital.

It is claimed that staff at the Merseyside hospital, which
houses some of Britain’s most dangerous offenders, carried out an
inquiry after allegation of verbal abuse and sexual assault were
made by female patients.

The allegations included one of “multiple sexual abuse” that
took place at a social event.

Source:- The Independent
on Sunday March 16
page 15

Abduction fears raised by new lists

Children could be put at a greater risk of being abducted if
Government plans to publish the home addresses of childminders go
ahead, warn childcare groups.

The groups say the list of addresses could be used by
paedophiles, disturbed women looking to take children or parents in
custody battles.

The addresses are set to be published together with inspection
reports on Britain’s 70,000 childminders on regulation body
Ofsted’s website.

Source:- The Observer Sunday March 16 page 9

Sangatte 1,000 ordered to find new homes

Many of the refugees brought to Britain as a part of the deal to
close Sangatte refugee camp face an uncertain future after last
Friday saw the passing of the three month deadline for the end of
the project which helped them.

Under the project the refugees were supposed to receive help to
find work so they could contribute to the economy but reports from
refugee organisations and the refugees themselves are that very few
are close to gaining employment.

Many will also become homeless when they are moved out of
Government provided hotel rooms this weekend.

Source:- The Observer Sunday March 16 page 14

Staff crisis hinders care for children in
court

A shortage of staff is delaying almost 2,000 cases involving
children, such as child abuse and disputes over parental contact,
an internal report from the Children and Family Court Advisory
Service (Cafcass) reveals.

The organisation, set up in 2001 to handle children’s cases,
reports that the hearing of care proceeding are often delayed by
several months while for contact disputes this rises to 18
months.

Source:- The Times Monday March 17 page 2

Old Firm to help Executive in bid to cut record suicide
rates

The Old Firm is the Executive’s latest weapon in the fight
to combat the dramatic rise in suicide among young men.

The male suicide rate in Scotland is more than double that of
England or Wales: on average two Scottish men take their own lives
every day.

Celtic and Rangers will promote and back the helpline, Breathing
Space, set up a year ago. The helpline has already taken 6,500
calls in its first 12 months.

Source: Sunday Herald 16^th March page 11

Panels forced to treat children “illegally” in social
work crisis

Children’s panel members are claiming they are being forced to
make decisions on some of Scotland’s most vulnerable young people
illegally because of a breakdown of the system.

Some children are being denied their
rights because members are not being given vital information on
time, a failing caused by the shortage of social workers.

One long-serving member has said the
system is close to meltdown, adding that several of his colleagues
had given up their positions out of sheer frustration.

Source: The Herald Monday
17^th March page 1

Children fear drugs in family

A Scottish survey has revealed that more than one in ten
children knows a close relative is abusing illegal drugs such as
heroin and cocaine.

The study by the Centre for Drug Misuse Research at Glasgow
University has alerted professionals to concerns about the effects
of drug abuse on young children.

Source: The Scotsman Monday 17th March page

Hain ‘blinkered’ over youth training
centre

A Town’s mayor has accused local MP and Welsh secretary
Peter Hain of a blinkered attitude over his support for a
controversial secure training unit for up to 100 young offenders,
planned for the area.

Mayor of Glynneath, David Pugh said that the vast majority of
local people were opposed to the scheme but Hain has argued that
the centre would provide up to 300 permanent jobs.

Source Western Mail Monday 17 March page 3

Boy, 11, drank bottle of vodka

A boy of 11 was taken to hospital for suspected alcohol
poisoning after drinking up to a litre of vodka.

He was arrested for alleged shoplifting in Port Talbot but
police quickly realized that he was drunk and he later collapsed
and was admitted to hospital.

Social workers are now investigating the boy’s background
and family circumstances.

Source Western Mail Monday 17 March page 3

Value of prescriptions for learning

New research shows that adult learners especially those over 60
are less prone to illness.

As a result doctor’s surgeries in some parts of Wales are
offering information on a range of college courses and the schemes
are proving particularly successful for those suffering with
depression.

The findings are being used by promoters of adult learning who
are calling on the Welsh assembly to expand learning opportunities,
not just to support the employment market but also to relieve
pressure on the health service.

Source Western Mail Monday 17 March page 7