Commission of Inquiry into the Care of Young People on the Isle of Man Concludes
04/05/2006
We found you very professional as well as approachable, helpful and caring. We can now move on and look forward to a more stable and secure future. I am sure that this would not have happened without yourselves being involved.
Jayne, Evesham
A public Inquiry into the deaths of two young people who died on the Isle of Man in 2002 ended today.
The report of the findings of the Inquiry were published today - Thursday 4th May 2006.
Samantha Barton and George Green were murdered in Braddan, on the Isle of Man whilst in the care of Social Services.
The Commission of Inquiry into the Care of Young People on the Isle of Man was set up to examine the care given to children and young people in care in general terms, and the care given to Samantha Barton and George Green during their time in care. The Inquiry has been chaired by Mark Everall QC.
The first stage of the Inquiry began in May 2005 and finished in September 2005. The second stage of the Inquiry began in October 2005.
The
Inquiry has heard evidence from employees and former employees of
Social Services; care providers; education professionals; healthcare
professionals; Members of Parliament; family members of Samantha and George; and children in care.
Samantha
and George died on or around the 8th February 2002 aged 16. Samantha
had been in care since the age of 10 years old and George since the age
of 13.
In December 2003 Peter Charles Newbery was convicted of their murders. He was sentenced to a minimum of twenty years in prison.
Solicitor Chris Gawne represents the families of Samantha Barton and George Green. He said:
"This Inquiry
has been a difficult process for everyone involved, particularly the
families of Samantha Barton and George Green. The families are relieved
that the Inquiry is finally over and are hopeful that they can now look to the future."
"Nothing
can be done to bring Samantha and George back. The families hope that
the matters of great concern identified by the Inquiry can be remedied
so that children in care on the Island now and in the future are looked
after properly and kept safe."
"The Inquiry report confirms that these children were let down by Social Services
in that there was a lack of planning of services which led to
inappropriate decisions and placements being made - putting them at
increased risk of harm."
"The Social Workers
responsible for the care of Samantha and George failed to monitor them
properly - either directly, or by obtaining information from care
providers. They failed to ensure that suitable care packages were in
place for Samantha and George."
"Social Services management failed to supervise social workers and monitor external care providers.
They failed to ensure that their own policies on case management,
decision making and record keeping were being followed. Those policies
were there for a reason - to try to ensure that children in care were looked after properly and that appropriate decisions were taken on welfare grounds. Social Services knew
what they should be doing but in many areas simply failed to do it.
Samantha, and George - when he was on the Island were effectively left
to their own devices. The families had expressed their concerns about
this to Social Services but still nothing was done."
"The families are particularly concerned that these failings seem to run from the Social Workers
responsible for planning and arranging suitable care provision to the
managers and senior managers responsible for implementing policies and
ensuring that policies were followed."
"The families are particularly shocked that the Inquiry has found that the police should have re-arrested Peter Newbery
in late January 2002. Had he been re-arrested he would have been put
before a Court and may well have been remanded in custody. This was
only a week before he went on to kill Samantha and George."
"The
family of Samantha Barton particularly deplore the fact that some
crucial decisions about her placements were made not on welfare grounds
but on the basis of instructions given by the Political Member for Social Services
at the time, Mr Geoff Cannell. Mr Cannell exceeded the boundaries of
accepted practice in giving such instructions. He did so despite
lacking the relevant knowledge or professional expertise."
"It
is imperative that the recommendations made in the report are put in
place to help children in a similar situation and to minimise the risk
of a similar tragedy happening again. The implementation of the recommendations of the Inquiry is essential to the future of children in care on the Island."
"Children
in care can and do go on to contribute to the Island in a positive way
and the families hope that the changes recommended by the Inquiry will
encourage this. The families do not want Samantha's and George's death,
or this Inquiry to have been in vain."
"They invite the Chief Minister
to give a solid commitment in respect of each and every recommendation
- firstly that they will be implemented, and secondly on the timescale
for implementation," said Chris.
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