Petition Demand a public inquiry regarding Gwynedd’s failures to safeguard children not only in Ysgol Friars
On 15.05.24 after denying all charges, headmaster Neil Foden was convicted of 19 sexual offences inflicted on 4 girls between 2019 and 2023. Concerns were raised in 2019 with senior officials in education and safeguarding. These concerns were dismissed without any investigations. I am concerned that this is not an isolated case and that senior management have failed to investigate reports of abuse and misconduct on multiple occasions.
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In order to safeguard children in the future we need to ensure that the whole system is looked at in depth, including exploring what has happened when other concerns and allegations have been raised. Whilst I appreciate that the Child Practice Review will seek to understand and learn lessons, I don’t believe it will be sufficient in this case where there is systemic failure by the local authority to protect in accordance with their statutory duties.
A Child Practice Review has limited powers as it cannot force witnesses to participate or provide evidence, and people will not be contributing under oath. The review in Rochdale published earlier this year is testament to this.
I am aware that concerns and complaints against staff have been disregarded and that children’s voices are not being listened to. Gwynedd Council must be investigated and held to account.
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