Edinburgh secure accommodation scandal: Director says investigation 'shows system is working'

A top council official says the investigation which uncovered physical and mental abuse of young people in Edinburgh's secure accommodation is evidence the system is working.

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A report by the council's monitoring officer – prompted by a whistleblower complaint – found "illegality, maladministration and injustice" in Edinburgh Secure Services, the part of the children and families department responsible for secure units. It highlighted inappropriate restraint, assaults of young people, children being isolated and a toxic management culture. And it said the “significant failings” dated back more than a decade.

Writing in the Evening News, Amanda Hatton, the council's Director of Education and Children's Services, says it is clear the council badly let down some of the children it looked after in secure accommodation.

She describes it as "heart-breaking to hear". But she continues: "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."

Earlier this week, one former resident of St Katharine’s secure unit in Edinburgh told the Evening News there had been similar failings in the system for decades. Holly Hamilton, who was sexually abused at the unit in 2006, pointed out the review of her case had also highlighted inappropriate restraint, children being isolated and other sanctions.

Ms Hamilton, now 31, said: “This new report says it has been happening within the last ten years, but things like this have been happening the ten years before that and the ten years before that. And it just seems to be recommendation after recommendation, every ten years the same recommendations but nothing ever changes. How many generations of broken children does this system need to create?"

Ms Hatton says in her piece that the council is now taking immediate steps, including in place additional management and oversight in residential and secure services, introducing better training for staff, ensuring all young people have access to independent advice and someone to talk to, and starting a monthly unannounced visit to all residential homes, speaking to all young people and staff individually.

Amanda Hatton is director of education and children's services

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