Care Inquiry Citizens' Panel Disbands

Jersey's government still has a long way to go to address the recommendations of the Care Inquiry, according to to the Citizens' Panel formed in its wake.

The majority of its member are survivors of abuse in the care system.

The panel is now disbanding after three years.

In its final report it criticises the continued lack of 'proper mental health services' for people affected by the trauma of their past.

‘For those of us who have been on this journey since 2007 it is hard to understand why the need for proper services for survivors of institutional abuse are still not in place fourteen years later.

Our original recommendation that ‘mental health service provision for survivors and their families who continue to be affected by the trauma of their pasts’ has not become a reality, government must act immediately to a) rectify this, b) place survivors at the centre of service design and c) report regularly, publicly and in an accessible way on progress."

Concluding its work, the panel makes eight recommendations  - including the need for an independent advocacy service and a commitment to a well-organised Jersey Children's Day every year.

"...as we reflect on the end of our time as a panel we are also reminded of how empowering it is to be alongside fellow survivors – united in our understanding of the pain and damage caused by childhood abuse and the strength we can gain from each other.

Members of the panel and others continue to recognise how essential it is that survivors have the opportunity to come together to support each other.

Plans are being developed, with the support of similar organisations in the UK for the development of a peer support network in Jersey. The panel asks that this movement is supported by government and other local organisations."

The panel also urges the government to prioritise the work of a survivor-led steering group that has been set up to pursue two separate legacy recommendations for remembering past abuse in the care system.

It follows a compromise reached when a plan for a public memorial caused upset amongst some survivors.

A new approach was agreed, that there would be 'a place to remember and reflect' and that there would also be a permanent public apology.