The parent of a vulnerable girl who stayed in one of Edinburgh 's secure units has challenged the council to hold its staff accountable for "serious and sustained failings" identified in the service.
A statement prepared by the parent, who said they had chosen to remain anonymous to "protect the well-being of my family", branded the local authority's care system "an absolute disgrace" and called on councillors to "implement real change with genuine transparency".
It was due to be read out by Christine Scott, a member of a group of whistle-blowers made up of current and ex-council workers, at an emergency meeting of the education committee yesterday (May 3). Instead members voted to hold proceedings in private after legal advice raised concerns about victims being identified.
READ MORE: Edinburgh council care scandal report to be debated in public 'as much as possible'
In an email to the council afterwards the group said they were "very concerned" that officials didn't allow the deputation to be heard in public.
They added: "The statement by the parent of a young person who spent time in the care of Edinburgh Secure Services contained no sensitive information but was nevertheless not allowed to see the light of day.
"We feel that the voices of young people affected by this scandal need to be heard, particularly by yourselves who are elected to represent the people of this city."
They urged the council to "take note" of the statement attached to the email and asked that "valid questions" are not "swept under the carpet".
In the statement, the parent said their daughter, who suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), "spent time in secure care and Close Support units".
Their scathing attack on Edinburgh Secure Services (ESS) – the City Council's provider of care and accommodation for youngsters aged 10 to 17 – came following a report which revealed “illegality, maladministration and injustice” and “serious and sustained failings” within secure units up to 2020.
Although not published in full, sources claimed it detailed “physical and mental abuse of highly vulnerable and disturbed young people". It's recommendations included a slew of new procedures to ensure restraint and seclusion are being used appropriately in the accommodation units.
The parent said: "The recent report into secure care is being kept confidential, so I can only guess what failings were identified by reading the recommendations and action points.
"I am horrified to read that restraint and seclusion were used inappropriately. The psychological effects of restraint and seclusion are devastating for vulnerable young people."
They added that the report points to "simple but very serious failings", highlighting recommendations such as 'staff should be trained in the use of paperwork', 'supervision of staff must take place in line with council policy and procedure', and 'ensure all staff employed or who work within residential care services have the appropriate qualifications to practice'.
The parent said if similar failings had been occurred in a business or other setting, those responsible "would have been out on their ears a long time ago."
"Another of the report’s recommendations is that “Staff should understand, and should be trained in, the impact of trauma and adverse childhood experiences on young people and their behaviours”. It beggars belief that this is only now being considered, when we have known for a long time that young people who need the care of secure services or close support units are very likely to have suffered trauma in their young lives.
"There are well established ways of supporting traumatised young people and I am appalled that the council is lagging so far behind in this field. Our most vulnerable young people need the best support and they are clearly not getting it."
The parent also asked what disciplinary action was being taken to hold staff to account.
The parent also asked what disciplinary action was being taken to hold staff to account over the "illegality, maladministration and injustice". They added: "The council has a track record of brushing issues away by saying that they are historic and that staff have left the council.
"If you say that all the staff who were responsible for these failings have since left the council, I will simply not believe you. The young people who were failed on your watch will suffer long-term life-changing effects of how they were treated – it’s totally unacceptable for those responsible to walk away with no consequences.
"How will members of the public know that disciplinary matters are being followed up, recommendations are being implemented, and any relevant information is being shared with the police? Given recent talk of investigations that didn’t take place, as well as my own family’s experience, I have no confidence in the council’s commitment to transparency. Will you be marking your own homework again or bringing in independent resources to address these serious issues?
"How do you plan to follow up on these issues with young people who are currently in your care or who have since moved on? How will you communicate with them without re-traumatising them? How will you provide some form of redress for what they have been through?
"I have heard many fine words about corporate parenting and getting it right for every child. Sadly they are only words and they do not reflect what’s actually happening. “The Promise” is a step in the right direction but the care system as it stands is an absolute disgrace. Our children deserve better.
"It’s up to you as councillors and officials to implement real change with genuine transparency and accountability."
The City of Edinburgh Council has confirmed internal disciplinary investigations are ongoing.
A City of Edinburgh Council spokesperson said: “Following extensive scrutiny and debate by councillors at March’s meeting of the Governance, Risk and Best Value Committee and at a special meeting of the Education Committee yesterday, councillors have agreed a clear way forward.
“Significant changes are already in place to ensure the children in our care are now safer and better supported and a detailed action plan, against which good progress is already being made, will be brought back regularly to future committees for further scrutiny and updates.
“The plan includes putting in place an Improvement Board, including external organisations representing the voice of young people and having unannounced visits in our children’s homes to ensure all young people and staff can raise any concerns individually.
“The two young people currently in the unit have access to independent advocates, social workers, reviewing officers and will be part of an independent visitors scheme which would be a first for Scotland. We also intend to meet regularly with the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland office to ensure independent oversight of our plan and its implementation.
“It’s so important that young people we look after have faith that they will be listened to and treated with absolute care and respect. We will work with them so they can hold us to account on the quality of support they receive and tell us where and how we can do better.”
