Hansard

PE1979, on the establishment of an independent inquiry and an independent national whistleblowing officer to investigate concerns about the alleged mishandling of child safeguarding inquiries by public bodies, has been lodged by Neil McLennan, Christine Scott, Alison Dickie and Bill Cook. I think that I see at least some of the petitioners in the gallery this morning. The petition calls on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to launch an independent inquiry to examine concerns that allegations about child protection, child abuse, safeguarding, and children’s rights have been mishandled by public bodies, including local authorities and the General Teaching Council Scotland as well as concerns about gaps in the Scottish child abuse inquiry; and to establish an independent national whistleblowing officer for education and children’s services in Scotland to handle such inquiries in the future. We last considered the petition a month ago on 7 February, when we held a round-table discussion with the petitioners—Bill Cook, Alison Dickie and Neil McLennan—and the whistleblower, Brendan Barnett. Three were present, and one was online. During that round table, we heard about a need to robustly investigate and resolve safeguarding allegations before undertaking policy reviews, and about the failure of public bodies to follow national guidance due to its non-statutory status and an inconsistent approach to information gathering and sharing between relevant agencies. We also heard about concerns that allegations are not fully investigated at the time, with inquiries taking place many years after the event; the impact of that on confidence in local authorities and public bodies; how the role of the Children and Young People’s Commissioner in Scotland could be strengthened; and how the creation of a national whistleblowing officer for education and children’s services could provide a route for individuals to access guidance, support and a structured procedure when raising concerns. Following the evidence session, we have received a new submission from the petitioners, requesting a private evidence session to further explore issues that they felt constrained from detailing more fully in a public setting. There are two key asks of this petition, the first of which is the call for an independent investigation of unresolved allegations about child protection. The petitioners have given us a flavour of those outstanding allegations and the challenges experienced in resolving them through the existing process. However, it might well be that the committee does not offer the appropriate forum for taking forward detailed consideration of that particular ask. The petition also calls for the creation of an independent whistleblowing officer for education and children’s services, with the petitioners indicating in their most recent submission that they will provide further follow-up information on the accountability and resourcing issues that we discussed. Having had the opportunity to reflect on the evidence that we heard last month from the petitioners, do members have any comments or suggestions for immediate action that we might consider taking? Members might be aware that there was also a late submission, which you will have received with your papers for today’s meeting.