Council apologises to victims
COUNCIL bosses in Rochdale have issued a second apology for failing young boys who were sexually abused, saying town hall officers and school staff ‘failed in their most basic duty of care towards children.’
Meanwhile, the mayor of Greater Manchester has said it was ‘essential that those who have been found responsible for failing in their public duties are held properly and fully to account.’
Steve Rumbelow, Rochdale council’s chief executive, admitted in a statement, issued by the authority after the report’s publication, that there had been ‘significant failures of leadership and management and a failure to investigate concerns in order to protect children.’
He said council officers and school staff ‘failed in their most basic duty of care towards children’ - and described the consequences of that failure for the victims as ‘exceptionally serious.’
“The council has apologised and acknowledged that children were failed,” he said. “I repeat that apology today and say again that we are truly sorry.”
The council’s first apology, which campaigners and victims branded ‘50 years too late,’ was issued ahead of the inquiry’s launch.
Mr Rumbelow added: “We acknowledge that, certainly in the case of Knowl View School, there were significant failures of leadership and management and a failure to investigate concerns in order to protect children.
“While the inquiry found no evidence of cover-ups or political pacts, it is clear from its report that council officers and school staff failed in their most basic duty of care towards children.
“Although the failure to understand the risks at the time was not unique to Rochdale, the consequences of the failures for the children involved were exceptionally serious.”
The authority said it would consider the inquiry’s report in full before commenting further.
Mr Rumbelow said child safeguarding policies were regularly reviewed and ‘significant improvements in practice’ have been made.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham described as ‘damning’ the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse’s report into Knowl View and Cambridge House.
“There is also a need to ensure we are doing everything we can to protect children today,” he added.