An independent inquiry into child sex abuse will investigate both Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire County Councils.
The investigation, known as the Goddard inquiry, will run 12 probes across the country, one of which will look into both local authorities.
It will hear from survivors of historical abuse in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire and consider the extent the councils failed in their duty of care.
It comes after the leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, Alan Rhodes, said yesterday: “Any failings of any organisation or institution deserves to be identified and dealt with appropriately. If there has been organisational or institutional failings, then there needs to be accountability.
Unreserved apology to survivors
“And, importantly, I am prepared to make an unreserved apology to survivors if our Council is found to have failed in our duty of care to children.”
The inquiry aims to find out the extent to which state and non-state institutions failed to protect children from abusers and consider if these failings have been addressed.
The inquiry will conclude by making recommendations about how institutions can further protect children. It is expected to take at least five years.
Dame Lowell Goddard QC, leader of the inquiry, said: “The task ahead of us is daunting. The sexual abuse of children over successive generations has left permanent scars, not only on the victims themselves, but on society as a whole.
“This inquiry provides a unique opportunity to expose past failures of institutions to protect children, to confront those responsible and to uncover systemic failures.”
Today’s announcement follows a number of investigations into historical child abuse in Nottinghamshire children’s homes.
Left permanent scars
Operation Daybreak is investigating 100 claims of child abuse dating back to the 1960s. Operation Xeres, launched in 2014, is investigating allegations relating to 10 different Nottingham care homes dating back up to 70 years ago.
Mr Rhodes added: “My pledge to all survivors is that we will continue to do everything we can to support them and expose any wrong-doing in the past. We will not shy away from these allegations of historical abuse.
“We are committed to helping to bring perpetrators to justice and ensuring professional standards are upheld. Please be assured that this Council will do everything in its power to put right any wrongs of the past.”
In a joint statement, Anthony May, chief executive at Nottinghamshire County Council and Ian Curryer, chief executive at Nottingham City Council said both councils will “engage fully” with the process.
They added: “We have been jointly investigating allegations of historical abuse, some of which are of a sexual nature, for a number of years now with Nottinghamshire Police.
“From the outset, we have taken these allegations seriously.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping and Notts Police Chief Constable Chris Eyre both also welcomed the investigation’s involvement in Nottinghamshire.
Mr Tipping said: “I have met a good many of the survivors and they have impressed upon me the importance of this inquiry and their wish to have the opportunity to tell their story and to have that story heard. I hope that they find today’s announcement supportive in their ongoing recovery.”
