Survivors of the sexual abuse in the care of Lambeth urge others to apply for Redress Scheme

Survivors of one of the country’s worst child abuse scandals have urged others to apply to Lambeth council’s Redress Scheme.

More than 700 people reported they were sexually, physically and emotionally abused in Lambeth children’s homes including Shirley Oaks, Angell Road and South Vale from the 1960s until the homes closed in 1983.

The number is likely to be much higher.

The council admitted that it had failed to protect the children in its care and set up the Lambeth Redress Scheme for those affected.

This includes a ‘Harm’s Way Payment’ of up to £10,000 and separate individual payments based on an assessment of each individual case for those subjected to abuse.

The deadline for applications has been extended until January 1, 2022.

Two of the survivors are urging others not to suffer in silence and to sign up to the scheme.

One of the survivors, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said: “On leaving Shirley Oaks, I felt like I was a bad person, not worth anything, dirty and a trouble maker.

“I’m proud of my family and have tried to make the most of life and worked hard to ensure my children didn’t have the childhood I had.

“However, I remain very angry about the way I was treated by Lambeth Council. I just hope that by speaking out, others who may find themselves in a similar position don’t feel they have to be alone. Help is out there.”

This comes as specialist law firm Irwin Mitchell has secured three more settlements for families.

The latest payments add up to nearly £400,000, and follow on from a number of settlements the law firm secured for survivors last year.

A man and a woman who were both sexually abused are among those to receive money through the Lambeth Redress Scheme.

The children of a man who was abused as a child while under local authority care have also received damages.

The man died in his 50s from liver disease caused by drinking which his family said was the result of the abuse.

Peter Lorence, a legal expert at Irwin Mitchell who represents survivors of abuse, said: “The widespread abuse that was allowed to manifest itself in children’s homes, foster homes and other residential facilities run by Lambeth Council may be well documented but is nonetheless shocking.

“Some of society’s most vulnerable children were subjected to the most unimaginable ordeals by some of those entrusted to care for them. The impact of what happened to our clients continues to affect them to this day.

“They have shown great bravery in reporting what happened to them. While nothing can ever make up for the abuse they suffered, we hope these vital funds will allow them to access the counselling and other support they require to try and look to the future.

“It’s vital that survivors of abuse don’t suffer in silence. We hope survivors will be comforted by the knowledge that the local authority will treat their complaints with the utmost sensitivity and seriousness.”

Lambeth council have apologised for their failure in their duty of care to the children in the care homes.

The Leader of the council, Cllr Claire Holland said: “On behalf of all elected Members and staff, Lambeth Council wishes to restate our sincere and heartfelt apology to all victims and survivors of abuse and neglect while in Lambeth’s care.

“The council was responsible for their care and protection but failed, with profound consequences. The council is deeply sorry for their experiences.

“The Lambeth Children’s Homes Redress Scheme honours our pledge to face up to the mistakes of the past. Lambeth Council proactively established the Redress Scheme in 2018 after extensive consultation with victims and survivors. Lambeth made this decision because there is no Government scheme to provide redress for all victims and survivors of abuse.

“We will continue to listen to survivors and victims as we formulate our proposals to formally mark and ensure the events of the past in our borough are never forgotten.”