Children's homes: 'The whistleblower system is working but Edinburgh Council must do better' - Amanda Hatton

Amanda Hatton, Executive Director for Education and Children’s Services at Edinburgh City Council

Thankfully, for the vast majority of Edinburgh’s children, that’s at home with their families.

For some, however, their families are not able to look after them safely, and we become their corporate parents.

Most of these children live with the many wonderful foster families we recruit but, in some cases, their needs mean a family home is not the right place for them and they live in residential children’s homes.

And, even more rarely (a handful at any given time), some young people need to be looked after by us in secure accommodation.

Sadly, as has become clear in recent council reports and subsequent news coverage, we have badly let down some of the children in the last group.

As someone who has spent their entire career passionately supporting children and young people with additional challenges to thrive, this is heart-breaking to hear. Just as I know it is to the many the dedicated and hard-working people in Children’s Services across Edinburgh.

I do think it’s worth saying that, for all these reports are deeply disturbing, it also shows that the system is working. The recent disclosures, findings and recommendations all came about thanks to the Council’s Independent Whistleblowing Service, which had independent oversight from Susanne Tanner QC, Police Scotland and Safecall. It’s so important that young people have faith that they will be listened to and treated with absolute care and respect.

I’m pretty new to the council and to the city, having just joined late last year, but in my short time here, I’ve been struck by the determination of my new colleagues to make a real and lasting difference and have every confidence that we can move on positively from this.

We’re working hard to put in place some immediate steps, including:

Putting in place additional management and oversight in our residential and secure servicesTransforming the buildings into more welcoming and nurturing homesIntroducing better training and support to equip staff with the skills needed to support all our children and young peopleWorking with partners to improve access to the therapeutic support that some young people needEnsuring all young people have access to independent advice and someone to talk to, promoting the Who Cares? Scotland serviceIntroducing a monthly unannounced visit to all of our residential homes, speaking to all young people and staff individuallyPutting in place an Improvement Board, including external organisations representing the voice of young people, frontline staff and our Champions Board to ensure independent and detailed scrutiny of our improvement planExploring with our young people the introduction of an independent visitor scheme

• Supporting a group of care experienced young people to become peer inspectors of our homes.

Most importantly of all, we’re listening to and working with the young people in our care so they can hold us to account on the quality of support they receive and tell us where and how we can do better, regularly asking ourselves: is this what I would want for my child?

Only then will we earn their respect and put ourselves in a better place to deliver Edinburgh’s Promise and be the very best corporate parents we can be.

Amanda Hatton, Executive Director for Education and Children’s Services at Edinburgh City Council

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