Kibble school under investigation after abuse allegations

An independent care school in the west of Scotland is under
investigation following allegations of abuse, writes
Maggie Wood.

Kibble school in Paisley provides residential and educational
facilities for children with significant social and behavioural
difficulties.

A spokesperson for the school confirmed that the Care Commission
had been approached by a member of staff who alleged that
colleagues had physically abused youngsters in their care.

Graham Bell, director of Kibble said that the allegations were
“untrue, offensive and malicious” and that the school
welcomes any investigation by the Care Commission or the
police.

It is understood that the member of staff who made the allegations
was subject to a disciplinary hearing four years ago.

In June a similar investigation was launched at Kerelaw school in
Ayrshire which is run by Glasgow city council. A council spokesman
confirmed that twelve staff were now been suspended and seven more
compulsorily redeployed after allegations of the inappropriate use
of physical restraint in the home.

He added that the residential facility at the school was down to
50% of its previous capacity. He stressed that children had not
been removed from the unit as a consequence of the investigation
but that new placements were currently being minimised. Meanwhile
the secure unit is at full capacity.

He also confirmed that the three-pronged investigation into the
allegations involving the police, the council and the Care
Commission is continuing.