Dispute over data on alleged abusers

Social services should not be responsible for operating a
database that holds information about alleged abusers, the
president of the Association of Directors of Social Services said
this week.

Andrew Cozens told the Bichard Inquiry into how Ian Huntley got
a job as a school caretaker that it would be a “major departure”
for departments, which currently record details on service users
only.

His evidence came after a senior manager at North East
Lincolnshire Council, which dealt with a series of allegations of
underage sex involving Huntley but failed to link them, said there
had been no way of keeping a record on him.

Cozens said the key issue was about how the systems within the
police and social services interrelated and it would be
“inappropriate” for councils to hold details on alleged
abusers.

But inquiry chairperson Sir Michael Bichard insisted it was “not
right” to say that the problem was just one of the relationship
between two agencies.

Cozens added that a national protocol was needed on when to
refer a case to the police that would “sharpen up”
decision-making.

He said a national protocol was also needed on when to share
information to ensure that the database outlined in the Children
Bill, which will allow a professional to flag concerns about a
child,

works effectively.