Children’s charity counsellor facing claims she took ecstasy with boys
SCOTLAND Yard is investigating claims that a woman who worked for the controversial children’s charity Kids Company took ecstasy with teenage boys.
The former senior member of staff, who was brought in to counsel the troubled youngsters, is also suspected of allowing them to stay at her home.
Allegations that the woman, who is no longer employed by the charity, had improper relations with two teenagers are at the heart of a new police inquiry.
Detectives launched a full criminal investigation into the charity last night after receiving reports of illegal activities involving young people in its care.
Specialist officers with experience investigating sexual offences, child abuse and the exploitation of the vulnerable are to interview several members of staff. Among them will be under-fire Kids Company founder Camila Batmanghelidjh, who will be asked about her stewardship of the organisation, it is understood.
Police said they had received a number of allegations since ques- tions over how the charity is run hit the headlines earlier this month. The Scotland Yard inquiry is said to have been triggered by an interview about safeguarding concerns that a former Kids Company employee gave to BBC News- night and the website BuzzFeed.
Three former staff members have described ‘serious’ incidents at two of the charity’s sites over five years, which they said were not reported to the police or social services.
Police and officials at Southwark Council in South London, where Kids Company has its HQ, believe these cases must be fully investigated if staff failed to pass on information about them, the BBC reported.
The charity aims to provide practical, emotional and educational support to some of the most deprived and vulnerable inner-city children.
But a public spat broke out earlier this month as the Government withheld £3million funding amid allegations that it was in ‘financial chaos’.
Miss Batmanghelidjh admitted there was an ‘unprecedented strain’ on funding, but denied mismanaging Kids Company.
The police inquiry into the charity will pile pressure on her just weeks after she survived calls to quit.
It is understood that Miss Batmanghelidjh was hoping to stay on in a ‘hands-off’ role as chairman while a new chief executive is brought in to oversee the books.
The charity she set up in 1996 has received around £30million of public money since 2008 and has celebrity backers including the rock group Coldplay, Sir Richard Branson and Harry Potter author JK Rowling. Kids Company relied on the Government for £4million of its £20million funding this year, but last month asked for an extra £3million because of growing financial problems.
The charity claims to support 36,000 vulnerable children and has been championed by the Prince of Wales and David Cameron.
Miss Batmanghelidjh accused the Government of trying to discredit her to distract attention from its failure to protect at- risk children ‘robustly’ enough.
Kids Company said in a statement that its ‘first priority is the safety and security of all the children, young people and adults we support and protect’.
It added: ‘The organisation operates robust policies and procedures that ensure all Kids Company’s clients are protected and that staff work safely with clients at all times.
‘Kids Company’s policies and procedures are externally reviewed regularly by an expert consultant and are governed by a risk sub-committee comprised of senior clinicians and representatives from the board of trustees.
‘All allegations of misconduct between Kids Company employees and clients are immediately reported to the police if required.’
A Met spokesman said officers were investigating several allegations and urged anyone with information to contact the force or the NSPCC.
‘Safety and security of young people’