Social worker tribunal concludes

The Jersey Employment Tribunal involving a social worker who claims she was dismissed for whistleblowing about child safeguarding concerns has concluded, with a judgement to be issued at a later date.

Alison Renouf says she was dismissed from her position as a social worker for whistleblowing about child safeguarding concerns.

In a statement to the tribunal, Ms Renouf says she whistle-blew about her concerns, but a few weeks later, having lost faith in that process and in the urgency she thought was required, re-whistle-blew to the Care Commission, Children's Commissioner, Family Nursing and Home Care, and the NSPCC.

She shared a video recording of safeguarding group meeting, in which former Government Chief Executive Andrew McLaughlin said, in relation to the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry, that 'people are dining out on what happened a decade ago, and it needs to stop'.

The video also heard Police Chief Robin Smith describe the inquiry as being 'like a noose around the islands neck' - adding that 'we've punished ourselves enough'.

He has since apologised, and said some of the words he used could have been better chosen.

More here: Ministers 'do not endorse' Inquiry comments in safeguarding meeting - Channel 103

Ms Renouf said she was in shock and disbelief watching it, and that was part of the reason for taking the action she did.

Representing the States Employment Board, Advocate Christopher Austin said Ms Renouf breached confidentiality rules under her terms of employment by sharing the video with Family Nursing and Home Care and the NSPCC, as they are organisations that sit outside government.

He also suggested to Ms Renouf that without doing that, there would have been no grounds to bring disciplinary proceedings against her.

In response, she said:

"My understanding of my job was that safeguarding children was paramount, and I did this with genuine belief that I was acting in the best interests of safeguarding children.

"I took necessary and proportionate tests to minimise disclosures, and I only did it for those purposes. I didn't do it in bad faith or maliciously, I didn't mischaracterise what people were saying, I did it for safeguarding reasons."

Ms Renouf also said, in response to disclosing to Family Nursing and Home Care, that they are 'long-standing and very trusted members of Safeguarding Partnership' and she didn't understand them at that stage to be external.

In a statement issued at the conclusion of the tribunal, SEB vice-chair Deputy Malcolm Ferey said:

"We recognise that the issues raised through this case have caused concern, particularly around safeguarding and the confidence people have to speak up. We need to learn from that.

"Work is already underway to strengthen whistleblowing and safeguarding arrangements. Mandatory whistleblowing training has been introduced and dedicated Protection Officers are in place. These improvements are already established and form part of our ongoing commitment to safeguarding and speaking up.

"However, further work will now be undertaken to review the effectiveness of these measures and identify any additional improvements required. This is intended to provide assurance to staff, contractors and the public that concerns can be raised confidently, will be taken seriously, and will be handled appropriately.

"We remain committed to maintaining a culture of openness, accountability and continuous improvement, where people feel safe to speak up and know that concerns will be acted upon

"These are important steps, but we recognise there is more to do. When the Tribunal issues its judgment, we will consider its findings carefully and be open about any further action we need to take.

"Our priority remains to safeguard children and vulnerable people, support people to raise concerns, and to continue the improvements already under way."

The tribunal judgement is due to be issued before the end of the year.