Child abuse 70 allegations made against workers

SEVENTY allegations of child abuse were made against adults working with children in South Gloucestershire last year, according to a new report.

The accusations mostly involved physical or sexual abuse carried out in education or foster care settings, and have become more frequent in the past six years.

But growing awareness of the issue among organisations which work with children and young people has seen a rise in reporting in that time, councillors have been told.

Members of South Gloucestershire Council’s scrutiny commission were updated on the work of the district’s local authority designated officer (LADO).

Tina Wilson, who holds the statutory role within children’s services, gives advice and guidance to employers, organisations and other individuals who have concerns about the behaviour of an adult who works in a paid or voluntary capacity with children and young people in South Gloucestershire.

Last year, she dealt with 158 cases, 70 of which were allegations requiring investigation, according to a report presented by the council’s head of safeguarding, Catherine Boyce.

More than half of the allegations (37) described some form of physical abuse, and around a quarter involved accusions of sexual abuse (19).

There were seven allegations of inappropriate behaviour, three of emotional abuse, two of neglect and two related to online communications or images of a sexual nature.

Nearly a third of the allegations were against teachers (17 per cent) or adults working in the early years sector (13 per cent), while a quarter involved either council (14 per cent) or agency (10 per cent) foster care settings.

Another 13 per cent involved sports clubs, nine per cent involved children in residential care, three per cent involved the Vinney Green Secure Children’s Home, and three per cent involved taxi and coach drivers responsible for taking children to school.

Around a quarter of the allegations (24 per cent) were proven by the investigation, leading to further action by the employer and possibly further investigation by police or social services. A similar proportion (23 per cent) were unfounded, and another one per cent were deemed “malicious”.

There was insufficient evidence to prove or disprove the allegations in 30 per cent of cases. Thirteen per cent of the investigations are still ongoing.

Labour councillor Ian Boulton said the number of cases appeared to be relatively small given the “thousands” of children and young people in South Gloucestershire.

But Ms Boyce said there were no comparable data available to usefully assess the situation, as different local authorities took different approaches to their LADO work.

South Gloucestershire’s LADO has an emphasis on advice and consultation, she said. This means organisations are encouraged to get in touch when they are unsure whether to make a referral, which can ultimately lead to more referrals being made.

The LADO received 53 allegations of abuse in 2014, compared with the 70 made in 2019.