WIREDGOV

The report of the independent inquiry into abuse into at the former Kerelaw residential school in Ayrhsire was published today.

Children's Minister Adam Ingram said:

"All of the young people who attended Kerelaw deserved absolute care and support to help them overcome any difficulties in their lives and move towards a bright future. We regret that for some that wasn't the case and that is not acceptable.

"Although Kerelaw closed years before this government took office, we're clear that it is all of our duty as a society to confront what happened in an open and honest way.

Read the full report

"That's why the Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council jointly commissioned this inquiry and Glasgow's willingness to submit its management of Kerelaw to independent and public scrutiny is commendable, as is its acceptance today of all the recommendations.

"While the recommendations in this report primarily concern Glasgow, the Scottish Government has fully taken on board all those with implications at a national level and it's clear that this report must also be considered carefully by all providers of residential care and local authorities who place children. Other agencies, such as the inspectorates, must also consider these findings carefully.

"I am determined to ensure that residential child care provides the best possible support for those children whose needs it serves best. We are already moving to improve training and upskill the residential childcare workforce through the National Residential Child Care Initiative, which is due to report to Ministers later this year and the recommendations in this report will inform and build on that."

Kerelaw Residential School in Stevenston, Ayrshire was opened in 1970 and a Secure Unit added in 1983. It was run by Strathclyde Regional Council until local government reorganisation in 1996 when it was taken over by Glasgow City Council.

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The Open School was closed at the end of 2004 following adverse inspection reports and investigations of bullying and harassment of staff and allegations of child abuse. In 2006 a former teacher and a unit manager were convicted of abuse and jailed. The Secure Unit was closed in March 2006.

A number of former staff, including the school's senior management, were dismissed by Glasgow City Council following internal investigations.

The Independent Inquiry was set up jointly by the Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council in November 2007 following the Council's own report into its findings.

Related Information

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/05/08090356/0

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/About/kerelaw/Q/editmode/on/forceupdate/on