Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) Wycliffe House Water Lane Wilmslow Cheshire SK9 5AF United Kingdom

Case Reference: IC-292644-B2S7 

Dear ICO,

I hope this letter finds you well. Firstly, I want to express my gratitude for your prompt response to my complaint regarding the Southern Health and Social Care Trust. Your acknowledgment of the issues raised is appreciated, although I understand the need for further evidence to determine whether there has been an infringement of data protection law.

Upon reviewing your response, I felt compelled to provide additional context and information to aid in your assessment of the situation. It appears that there might be some confusion regarding the legal framework governing the care facility in question. The Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995, particularly section 20, outlines the importance of yearly appraisals for children in care homes. However, it seems there may be instances where these legal obligations are not being met, particularly concerning the rights of children to appeal for reunification with their parents, whether they are in a boarding school or prison.

Furthermore, recent prison reforms by the UK government highlight the significance of upholding the rights and welfare of individuals within the system, including vulnerable groups such as children and young women. It is imperative that all institutions, including schools and prisons, adhere to legal standards and ensure a fair and just process for all individuals under their care.

In light of recent developments, I wish to draw your attention to a concerning issue regarding a new school in Newry, which I have referred to as a “prison” due to its incommunicado nature. Despite attempts to reach out, there has been no response from the school administration, raising questions about transparency and accountability. You can read more about the challenges with contacting senior staff at the school in this article.

Additionally, recent reports have highlighted instances of coercive behavior by social workers, which is not only unethical but also goes against legal requirements. It is essential that all agencies involved in child welfare adhere to the highest standards of professionalism and ensure that the rights of children and families are respected at all times. You can find more information about this in this article.

The article “Addressing Ethical and Legal Concerns in South Down, Newry” delves into the troubling ethical and legal issues plaguing the region, particularly in the context of social work and child welfare. It highlights the pervasive lack of transparency and accountability within social work practices, leading to widespread mistrust among affected families. Furthermore, the article exposes instances of coercive behavior by social workers over the past 13 years, underscoring the urgent need for reform and oversight. These ethical breaches not only violate professional standards but also erode public trust in social services, necessitating comprehensive measures to ensure compliance with legal standards and uphold the rights and well-being of vulnerable individuals in the community.

The current situation with Northern Ireland has got out of control. The Interim Director of social services in Newry does not abide by section 20 of The Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 or under the provision which it makes under Article 19; or the information acts Section 10 which Lord Falkner states that he must obey.

Article 20 states that every authority shall review the provision made under Article 19, the extent to which the services of child minders are available within the authority’s area with respect to children under the age of twelve, and the provision for day care within the authority’s area made for such children by persons required to register under Article 118(1)(b). These reviews should be conducted together with the Education Authority and district councils, at least once in every review period. However, there have only been two LAC reviews in thirteen years, which raises serious concerns.

When I started investigating social services and tried to file my findings with the local court in Hastings, they could not find the appeal references I gave them on my appeal case, as if they had never existed and were just propaganda. During this time, I contacted many other people trying to help them in the area, and it was not long before I came across others, some that had even worked in Social Services at the time. Oddly, they were informing me that not only had my social worker asked them to lie and fabricate reports but she also made complaints to Parliament and Health Ombudsman that did nothing to change the situation. When my own case was taken to the Parliamentary and Health Omdurman, despite advising that my daughter was one of five hundred thousand or more other children that had been kidnapped / abducted and placed more than 200 miles from their family, they tried to ignore this, sending my correspondence by letter to another department all while not investigating anything.

My trilogy of books was then only an idea which I never thought would actually happen. There have been lots of challenges along the way to get them published, notwithstanding the artwork and mastering of the Amazon publishing system, which I support. Complaints to Social Work England and HCIP were a waste of time. Neither wanted to investigate breaches of their code, finally stating the social worker was not on their register even though she was employed in Ashford working with children.

We were at an impasse on my last book, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer made a statement recognizing a cohort that should not have even been in family law. He said at line 57:

“…Microsoft and Google have announced data centers worth over £3 billion. Thanks to my right hon. Friend the Business Secretary, the global investment summit unlocked £30 billion of investment….”

and later on, at 137: “Too many legal cases, particularly in family law, should never go to court, and it would cost us less if they did not, so we will spend £170 million to fund non-court resolution, reduce reoffending and digitize the court process. Too many children in care end up being looked after by unregistered providers that are much more expensive, so we will invest £165 million over the next four years to reduce that cost by increasing the capacity of the children’s homes estate.”

Given these concerns, I kindly request your assistance in identifying the relevant legal framework in Newry, Northern Ireland, that protects individuals from false imprisonment by local authorities. It is imperative that we address these issues to ensure the protection and well-being of vulnerable individuals in our society.

“The current situation in Northern Ireland concerning the Interim Director of social services in Newry raises serious concerns regarding compliance with legal frameworks, particularly Section 20 of The Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995. This section mandates that every authority conducts regular reviews of provisions for child welfare, including daycare services and childminders, in collaboration with the Education Authority and district councils. However, there appears to be a significant lapse in conducting these reviews, with only two Looked After Children (LAC) reviews in thirteen years. This failure to adhere to legal obligations undermines the rights and welfare of children under care.

Furthermore, my investigation into social services revealed alarming practices, including coercion and fabrication of reports by social workers. Despite attempts to address these issues through legal channels, complaints to regulatory bodies such as Social Work England and HCIP yielded no results. The lack of accountability within the system is evident, with instances of misconduct overlooked and complaints dismissed without proper investigation. Moreover, the failure to acknowledge and act upon cases of child abduction and placement without consent further compounds the systemic failures within the social services sector.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer’s recent statements on family law reforms underscore the need for urgent action to address the inefficiencies and injustices prevalent in the current system. While significant investments are being made to improve non-court resolution processes and enhance the capacity of children’s homes, it is imperative that these efforts also prioritize accountability and transparency within social services. The rights of children and families must be upheld, and legal frameworks must be rigorously enforced to prevent further injustices and ensure the well-being of vulnerable individuals in society.”

Review of Director’s Actions: The Interim Director in South Down, Newry, Northern Ireland, is suspected of acting unlawfully in her pursuit of additional care funding. Legal standards and ethical norms require a comprehensive review of her actions to ensure compliance with laws governing resource allocation and public welfare. This necessitates a thorough investigation into any potential breaches of conduct and the appropriate application of legal remedies. Evidence Link: “Coercive Behavior by Social Workers” on May 26, 2024

Ethical and Legal Concerns Regarding Social Work Practices: Reports of coercive behavior by social workers in the South Down, Newry area raise ethical and legal concerns. Such actions violate professional standards and erode public trust. Legal requirements demand that social workers adhere to the highest standards of professionalism and accountability, with stringent consequences for any breaches of conduct. Evidence Link: “Social Work England: Addressing Critical Child Welfare Issues” on May 26, 2024

Transparency in Social Work Decisions: The lack of transparency in social work decisions, particularly regarding child welfare, undermines accountability and effectiveness. Legal standards necessitate clear guidelines and transparent processes to restore confidence in social services and ensure the protection of vulnerable individuals’ rights and well-being.

Legal Requirements in Child Care: Stringent legal frameworks, such as Section 20 in Northern Ireland, mandate proper consent for child welfare decisions to protect the rights of children and their families. Compliance with these regulations is essential to safeguarding their well-being and upholding their legal rights. Evidence Link: “Consent and Child Welfare: Section 20 in Northern Ireland vs. England” on May 26, 2024

Oversight in Budget Management: Sir Robert’s report on the expenditure budget highlights the need for greater oversight and accountability in the allocation of resources for child care services. Legal standards dictate a thorough review of current expenditure to ensure efficient resource allocation for the welfare of children. It is imperative that budgetary decisions align with legal mandates to effectively support the welfare of vulnerable individuals. Evidence Link: “Effects and Implications of Outsourcing Children’s Care in England” on May 22, 2024

In conclusion, adherence to legal standards is imperative across various aspects discussed in the letter, including parliamentary conduct, social work practices, child welfare, and budget management. Upholding these standards ensures the protection of rights, transparency, and effective governance in addressing critical issues affecting the community.

The current situation with Northern Ireland has got out of control the Interim Director of social services in Newry does not abide by section 20 of The Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 or under the provision which it makes under Article 19; or the information acts Section 10 which Lord Falkner states that he must obey.20.—(1) Every authority shall review—

(a)the provision which it makes under Article 19;

(b)the extent to which the services of child minders are available within the authority’s area with respect to children under the age of twelve;

(c)the provision for day care within the authority’s area made for such children by persons required to register under Article 118(1)(b).

(2) A review under paragraph (1) shall be conducted—

(a)together with [F1the Education Authority] and district councils; and

(b)at least once in every review period.

(3) In paragraph (2)(b) “review period” means the period of one year beginning with the commencement of this Article and each subsequent period of three years beginning with an anniversary of that commencement.

(4) In conducting any such review, the authority shall have regard to any exempt provision made within the authority’s area with respect to children under the age of twelve.

(5) In paragraph (4) “exempt provision” means provision to which the exemption provided by paragraph (1) or (2) of Article 121 applies (schools, hospitals and other establishments exempt from the registration requirements which apply in relation to the provision of day care).

Incorporating Lord Neuberger into the context of child welfare, particularly in regard to “child B,” could involve referencing legal precedents or judgments made by Lord Neuberger during his tenure as President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom. These references could highlight key decisions or legal principles that have shaped child welfare laws or policies. For example:

“In light of Lord Neuberger’s landmark judgments emphasizing the paramountcy principle in child welfare cases, it is imperative that the rights and well-being of ‘child B’ are prioritized above all other considerations. Upholding Lord Neuberger’s guidance, which emphasizes the importance of the child’s best interests, requires a comprehensive review of the systemic failures in Newry’s social services to ensure accountability and reform.”

So why is there no yearly review in Northern Ireland just two LAC reviews in thirteen years. Is this legal?

Thank you once again for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response and any guidance you can provide on this important issue.