Published on Thursday 20 October 2011 11:45
THE findings of a serious case review into a harrowing instance of child cruelty will be made public, Tynwald was told.
The Isle of Man Examiner reported last month on how social services were heavily criticised during a court case in which a couple were jailed over a catalogue of cruelty and neglect meted out to a little girl with learning difficulties.
The 26-year-old woman was jailed for two years and six months after admitting grievous bodily harm and wilful neglect/ill treatment. Her 35-year-old partner was handed a nine-month jail term after admitting wilful neglect/ill treatment. Neither defendant could be named for legal reasons.
The court heard of how the girl, who is autistic and has a sore hip and a limp, was ordered to jump up and down on the spot, was left outside in her nightie and was made to run up and down the back lane for an hour or more to tire her out before bed.
Police were alerted after the child was admitted to Noble’s Hospital on Sunday, July 4, last year with a fractured jaw.
Deemster Alastair Montgomerie said alarm bells should have been ringing with social services over the case.
In Tynwald this week, Steve Rodan (Garff) asked whether the findings of the serious case review would be made public – and whether the inquiry would be sufficiently impartial.
In a written reply, newly-appointed Education Minister Peter Karran MHK said it was important that the island’s Safeguarding Children Board was responsible for its own reviews. He said: ‘The findings from this review will be made public. It is essential the identities of any children involved are protected.
‘The Safeguarding Children Board will make a public statement giving details of the independent review process, the findings and any actions identified to improve practice in order to reassure the community that any lessons have been learned.’ He said the first review draft would be presented in March with a public statement issued in two months.
Source:
http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/child_cruelty_findings_to_be_made_public_1_3889546
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