Is Southern Regional College a clandestine secret agency?

Mr. Chris Reid

Investigating Officer
Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman
Progressive House
33 Wellington Place
Belfast BT1 6HN

Date: 5 October 2024

Ref: 202006004

Dear Mr. Reid,

Thank you for your response dated 2 October 2024, clarifying the requirements to progress my complaint.

I would like to formally state for the public record that I have initiated legal action, providing DNA details that have, unfortunately, been ignored. I previously wrote to you on 2 October 2024 and again later that same day 2 October 2024, 4 October 2024, without receiving a response.

Furthermore, I must address the situation concerning another school in Newry, which is presenting itself as an educational institution solely based on its internet presence.

I am deeply concerned about the malpractice and the subsequent imprisonment of my daughter, Emily, at this school. This matter is critical, as it not only impacts Emily’s wellbeing but also raises significant questions regarding the school’s financial integrity and overall management.

In addition, I would like to express my concerns regarding Southern Regional College. It appears they are operating an organization that does not fit the profile of a college or school. After contacting them to discuss a personal situation with a counselor who was in a position to talk to my daughter, my communications were intercepted by Donna Hughes, Deputy Lead Safeguarding Officer. Her response was indicative of a government secret agency, as reflected in her email, which stated:

“Further to your numerous calls and contact with the College, we cannot provide you with the information you are seeking, as to confirm or deny the enrollment of any student would constitute disclosure of personal data. The College must operate within the restrictions of our legal obligations, and we have no lawful basis under which the College would be required to disclose this personal data to you. In general terms, this would include the consent of any data subject to share their information with any third party, including a parent. Should an external agency wish to request this information directly from the College via the appropriate formal channels, the College will of course adhere to our statutory and legal obligations in respect of provision of information.”

Now, addressing or contacting the principal of the school, any teaching staff, or the counselor was not a possibility, as everything—even telephone calls—was referred to Donna Hughes and her obstinate attitude. When I wrote to Ian Boden, Corporate Compliance Manager, on September 6, 2024, to follow up on my previous correspondence regarding Data Access Requests (DAP) and Subject Access Requests (SAR) that I had submitted to Southern Regional College, I expected him to respond to my inquiries. These requests pertain to whether Southern Regional College accepts placements of children under Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and, if so, the number of such placements currently at the college. These requests were made to ensure compliance with data protection regulations and to address serious concerns related to the handling of sensitive information.

To date, there has been no response in breach of Information Rights, which infers that the entire site is potentially operating under false pretenses and is not as it is described. I also requested a meeting with the Children’s Commissioner to meet with Emily and me in an online meeting, but there has been no indication that such a meeting has taken place.

It should be pointed out that the site covers a vast area with large open spaces. By not meeting with me, is the NI Children’s Commissioner implying that my concerns about the college are valid and that criminal behavior is being covered up?

The situation you’re describing appears to involve significant concerns about transparency, data protection, and the involvement of various stakeholders, such as the Children’s Commissioner, in overseeing certain aspects of Southern Regional College.

Key Concerns:

Funding and Transparency: Southern Regional College, located in Newry, Northern Ireland, is reported to have received substantial funding from the European Union. There are serious concerns about the transparency of how these funds are used and the overall accountability of the college’s operations. The college’s campuses appear to be under scrutiny for their involvement with Looked After Children (LAC), with claims suggesting that it caters to an unusually high number of these children. These claims raise questions about the legitimacy of these arrangements and the welfare of the children involved.

Inspection and Oversight: There have been difficulties in obtaining information about the college’s Unique Reference Number (URN) and the results of any inspections. Ofsted, which does not inspect schools in Northern Ireland, has been unable to provide clarity, and the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) has not responded to queries. This lack of inspection and oversight is concerning and suggests a gap in accountability.

Data and Communication Issues: I have experienced issues with blocked communications and a lack of transparency from the college’s senior staff. Numerous attempts to contact them have resulted in unreturned calls and misleading information. This raises concerns about the accessibility and openness of the institution.

I have included the International Criminal Court, NSPCC, and the Children’s Commissioner in this correspondence to ensure that the matter is escalated appropriately and receives the necessary attention.

Summary of Correspondence Regarding Southern Regional College (SRC) and Ofsted

Initial Concerns and Requests:
I raised concerns about Southern Regional College (SRC) in Newry, Northern Ireland, particularly regarding its transparency and management. I pointed out issues with contacting key personnel at SRC and questioned why the college’s senior staff were consistently unavailable.

Phone Number Issue:
I noted that the phone number 0300 123 1223 is used by both Ofsted and SRC. I questioned whether this overlap could indicate a problem, such as fraud or misrepresentation.

Requests for Information:
I requested detailed information on why SRC is not listed or inspected by Ofsted, despite its significant funding and apparent issues. I also inquired about the URN (Unique Reference Number) for SRC, which I was unable to locate in Ofsted’s system.

Response from Donna Hughes (SRC):
Donna Hughes from SRC responded by stating that they could not confirm or deny any student’s enrollment due to data protection regulations. She emphasized that the college operates within legal obligations and cannot disclose personal data without consent.

Responses from Nicola Tanner (Ofsted):
Nicola Tanner clarified that Ofsted does not inspect schools or colleges in Northern Ireland and directed me to the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI). She mentioned that Ofsted’s complaint process was not applicable to SRC as it falls outside their jurisdiction. Tanner also expressed frustration over repeated inquiries and stated that any further correspondence would be deleted.

Further Communications:
I continued to raise concerns about data protection practices and the handling of information. I expressed dissatisfaction with the responses received from both Ofsted and SRC, alleging a lack of transparency and accountability.

Additional Context:
My correspondence also included references to broader issues, such as the potential involvement of SRC with looked-after children (LAC) and the handling of such sensitive cases. I cited various sources and reports, including NSPCC documents and parliamentary statements, to support my claims.

Public and Official Contacts:
I contacted multiple officials and organizations, including MPs, the Cabinet Office, and the ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office), seeking their assistance in addressing my concerns about SRC and Ofsted.

Summary of Issues:
The primary issues raised include the lack of transparency and accountability of SRC, the shared phone number with Ofsted, the adequacy of responses from Ofsted, and concerns about data protection and compliance with legal requirements.

I implore all those involved to reconsider their actions and prioritize transparency and accountability. The truth must not be silenced, especially when it concerns the safety and rights of our children. Suppressing information or spreading misinformation does a disservice to all parties involved and obstructs the path to justice and resolution. It is essential that we work together to ensure that our children’s welfare remains at the forefront of our actions.

Moreover, the initiation of an investigation by the Prime Minister’s Office, as noted in “Investigation by Prime Minister’s Office Started,” underscores the severity of the issue. The involvement of high-level government officials indicates the critical need for a comprehensive review and immediate action to rectify these systemic failings.

Adding to the distress, the article “The Express – Sex Up Abuse Claims” details how social workers have been pressured to exaggerate claims of abuse to justify the removal of children from their families. This practice, driven by a desire to meet targets and avoid scrutiny, has led to the wrongful separation of countless families, including my own. The systemic fabrication of abuse claims undermines the integrity of the child protection system and causes irreparable harm to the children and families involved.

Finally ETNI informed me in a telephone call to the office that they have no inspection document for this entity ‘Southern Regional College’ in seven years adding to the parents frustration in respect to his being described as a school or college.

Sincerely,

Kind Regards
Mr. Martin Newbold

thestealingofemily.co.uk