Abuse Compensation Current Cases - UK

Amberdale Children’s Home in Stapleford, Nottinghamshire continues to be investigated by Nottinghamshire Police as part of Operation Xeres as a result of allegations of abuse by staff at the home. One former staff member has so far been arrested as part of Operation Xeres and is due to appear before Nottingham Crown Court in April 2018. Jordans Solicitors represent survivors who suffered abuse at Amberdale and many other homes in Nottinghamshire. We have a team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences.

Ampleforth Abbey is a coeducational independent day and boarding school in the village of Ampleforth North Yorkshire. It opened in 1802 as a boy’s school and is run by Benedict Monks and lay staff. Gilling Castle Preparatory School is used as a leader for the school. It is now known as St Martin’s Ampleforth. We are aware of a number of cases that relate to serious allegations of abuse against monks and lay staff who worked there. Father Piers Grant-Ferris was convicted of 20 incidents of sexual abuse in 2005 and Peter Turner formally known as Father Gregory Carroll was convicted of 15 incidents of sexual abuse in the same year. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse reported that 5 individuals, mostly monks connected to Ampleforth have been convicted or cautioned in relation to offences involving sexual activity with a large number of children or pornography. Jordans Solicitors represent survivors who suffered abuse at Ampleforth Abbey. We have a team of highly specialised lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences.

Aston Hall was a psychiatric hospital in Derbyshire between the 1920’s to the 1990’s. It was run by Dr Kenneth Milner from 1947 to 1970. The patients were children and adults of both sexes and there would be approximately 100 patients at the hospital at anyone time. Allegations about Aston Hall first came to light in 2011. The allegations concerned the use of sodium amytal which is used as a way of recovering repressed traumatic memories. It has the effect of rendering the patient semi conscious and unable to move. In July 2014 a male made a complaint of a sexual assault to Derbyshire Police and this was followed by another complaint of abuse in the September. In July 2015 a female made a report that she was, “injected, gassed and woke up feeling sore between her legs.” In February 2016 Derbyshire Police with the support of Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Board started an investigation into the hospital. The Police “prepared 115 witness statements, recorded 77 crimes and heard from 65 alleged victims.” In 2018, an independent report found children were given sodium amytal, which was not authorised for use on children. It also found victims had been given the drug, stripped, abused and put in straitjackets. The majority of allegations centred around Dr Kenneth Milner. In 2018, Derbyshire Police said Dr Milner would have been questioned over rape and cruelty claims if he was still alive. A scheme for settlement of claims has been agreed with the Secretary of State for Health. Details of the Scheme Compensation will be allocated on a tariff basis starting at £8,000 for those who can prove they were admitted to Aston Hall during the 60s and 70s and received at least one treatment of narco-analysis while a patient there. The settlement figure will increase for those who received more than one treatment: If an individual had at least one treatment of sodium amytal, they would receive an initial payment of £8,000; Former residents who had between two and five treatments would receive an additional £2,500 for each extra treatment; For between six and 15 treatments, an individual would receive an extra £1,500 per treatment; Thereafter a survivor of abuse would receive an additional £1,000 per treatment, up to a maximum of £50,000; Our Lawyers are here to provide support and guidance at a very difficult time. If you or someone you know has suffered abuse in any of the situations outlined above please contact the Abuse team on our dedicated Freephone number 0800 9555 094 and one of our Specialist Child Abuse Lawyers will be happy to discuss your situation in confidence. Whilst we cannot change what has happened in the past, we will endeavour to recover compensation to allow you to seek the required support to rebuild your life.

In 1922 a school moved to Axwell Park, Blaydon on Tyne, taking in boys from Sunderland, Durham, Middlesbrough and Newcastle. It was re-designated in 1933 as an Approved School for 150 boys, taking boys from a much wider area including Yorkshire and Northumberland. Administration of the school transferred from the Home Office to Newcastle City Council in 1973, when it was run as a Community Home. In 1976 an Assessment Centre, Clavering House, run by Newcastle Social Service Department, was constructed in the former walled garden. 

The school was finally closed in 1981, and the Hall and most of the grounds sold in 1985. William Burnett a former teacher who taught at Axwell Park in the 1960’s has been found guilty of a total of 15 indictments of indecent assault on boys under 16 years. He was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment in May 2016. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences.

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

The Aycliffe Assessment Centre became the subject of investigations over allegations of physical abuse and brutality. The allegations relate primarily to a period between the 1980s and 1990s. 

Many former residents came forward with allegations of harsh physical treatment. A Government report from the early 1990s was critical of the regime in place at the time. In 2001 as a consequence of a police investigation, one former member of staff Martyn Locklin, who worked as a housemaster, was convicted of sexual abuse and offences that related to children under his care at the Aycliffe Centre

.He was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment which was later reduced to 12 years for the abuse against 3 boys, including rape, between the period of 1988 and 1996.

 Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Beechwood Children’s Home continues to be investigated by Nottinghamshire Police’s ‘Operation Daybreak‘ as a result of allegations of abuse at the home between the 1960s and 2000s. 

As a result of ‘Operation Daybreak‘ investigations 12 people, not all connected with the home, have been arrested. The Independent Inquiry into child sexual abuse have chosen to use Beechwood as a specific study as part of their investigation into Nottingham City and Nottingham County Council. 

The inquiry will hear evidence from former residents at Beechwood Children’s Home.

 Jordans Solicitors represent survivors who suffered abuse at Beechwood Children’s Home. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Brook Cottage was a children’s home in Driffield, East Yorkshire. This has been the subject of many complaints of physical abuse. An internal investigation led to a member of staff being disciplined for assault of a pupil. 

Paul Lamb was the manager of the home between the period of 1984 to 1987. He was found guilty of 19 sexual offences, including 3 counts of rape in May 2021. He was sentences to 171/2 years in prison.

 Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Besford Court School was a Roman Catholic run boarding school in Worcester, for boys aged 8 to 16 years old. The school opened in 1917 and there have been many complaints of severe physical abuse carried out by members of staff, particularly in the 1960s. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Burnside House was a childrens’ home in Skipton which has now closed. A male care worker, Stuart Thornton who worked at the home during the period of 1971 to 1976 has been investigated by the Police following complaints received from people who allege that he sexually abused them as children when they were residents in the home.

Stuart Thornton was arrested in November 2015 and was charged in Augsut 2016. In May 2017 he was convicted of offences against 3 boys and 1 girl during the 1970’s. He was convicted of 6 counts of indecent assault on a male person under 14, 2 counts of gross indecency with a child, 2 counts of indecent assaults and 1 count of buggery.

In July 2017 he was sentenced at the Bradford Crown Court and jailed for 19 years. On his release he will be on licence for 3 years and placed on the sex offenders register for life. An interim sexual harm prevention order will bar him from working with children.

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Cartbridge was a residential school in Knowsley, Liverpool for children aged between 9 and 16 years old. The school closed in October 1994. 

There have been many allegations of physical and sexual abuse carried out by members of staff. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Castle Hill Children’s Home was a privately owned home in Ludlow. Allegations of abuse at Castle Hill were made by 57 survivors, and in 1991 the head, Ralph Morris, was convicted of eight sex offences against male children aged 11 to 16, between 1984 and 1989. 

He was sentenced to 12 years in prison for various assaults. Senior Teacher John Duggan was also sentenced to 2 years imprisonment for indecently assaulting pupils and perverting the course of justice. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Chevet Hey Community Home opened as a children’s home in Wrexham in the 1960s. When Bryn Estyn (children’s home in North Wales) closed down in the 1980s, a number of residents and staff were transferred to Chevet Hey. 

There have been numerous allegations of sexual and physical abuse in the 1970s and 1980s. Five people were convicted of sex offences against children after an investigation which took place between 1987 and 1989. 

This was followed by the Waterhouse Inquiry, an inquiry into alleged abuse of children in care in the areas of areas of Gwynedd and Clwyd. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

The Church of England are planning to implement a redress scheme for survivors of abuse. The pilot scheme is designed to enable the Church to respond in particular to those survivors’ cases which are already known to the Church. Experience with these pilot cases will help inform the setting up of the Church’s full redress for victims and survivors of abuse as that is developed. 

It is understood, according to details published by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse that the English Benedictine Congregation (EBC), have discussed the project and whether the scheme would extend to the whole of the Catholic Church in England and Wales.

 Guidelines are also being drawn up on now to deal with sexual abuse claims brought against the Catholic Church, by the Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service (CSAS) and the Catholic Insurance Services. 

A spokesman from the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales confirmed that a redress scheme is “in its very early stages and is being considered by the CSAS… it is work in progress.” Once a full redress scheme is developed we will update our website with further information.

Danesford Community Home was operated by the Methodist charity, National Children’s Homes (NCH), now Action for Children. It was the subject of a full scale investigation carried out by Cheshire Police in 1993 following allegations of sexual and physical abuse. 

A number of allegations of sexual abuse were made against named members of staff, and Brian Hudson went on to be sentenced to 4 years in prison in 1995. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Dobroyd Castle Approved School in Todmorden has been subject to allegations of abuse. ‘Operation Screen‘, an investigation carried out by West Yorkshire police, concentrated mainly on Skircoat Lodge but also covered Dobroyd Castle. 

Terrance O’Hagan, a former member of staff, was charged with assaults between 1973 and 1975 on boys aged between 14 and 16. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences.

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Dromenagh School opened as a boarding school in 1948 and closed in 1996. Member of staff Gifford Hugh Jones admitted to offences of indecent assault and gross indecency against boys aged under 14 years between the 1970s and 1980s.

He was convicted of these offences in 2015 and was imprisoned for a period of 8 years. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences.

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Druids Heath Approved School opened in 1940, and became a Community Home with Education in 1973. It closed in 1988. Colin Jeneson was convicted of eight charges of abuse between 1969 and 1976, when he was a teacher at Druids Heath and Tennal Assesment Centre. 

These charges were brought following an investigation named ‘Operation Thor‘, which was launched in 1999. He was convicted in 2005 and served an 8 year prison sentence. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Dyson Hall was investigated as part of ‘Operation Care’, a large scale police investigation carried out by Merseyside Police which began in 1994. 

Philip Savage was previously found guilty of sexual offences against boys at Liverpool’s Diocesan Hall Assessment Centre and jailed for 15 years. In 2015, Savage was jailed for a further 13 years for sexual offences against boys at Dyson Hall. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

HMP Eastwood Park opened as a junior Detention Centre for boys aged between 14 and 17 in Falfield, South Gloucestershire in 1964. It was built on the site of a Second World War camp by inmates from Leyhill and Bristol prisons.

 It originally housed 95 boys, but then an additional accommodation block was built in 1975, which raised the certified normal accommodation to 146. In 1989 it became a young offenders’ institution. The prison closed in 1993 for refurbishment and then reopened in September 1995 as a women’s prison. 

The Detention Centre was run by the Home Office, now the Ministry of Justice. There have been numerous allegations of physical, verbal and sexual abuse by Prison Officer at this detention centre. 

A former Prison Officer Patrick Devaney, of County Down in Northern Ireland has been found guilty of misconduct in a public office. The Court heard evidence from 22 former detainees of the abuse they suffered at the hands of Devaney who was based in the detention centre’s gym. Devaney was found guilty of repeatedly assaulting boys aged between 14 to 17 years old in his care where he worked from 1970 until 1983. 

We would urge anybody affected by abuse at HMP Eastwood Park to report these allegations to Avon and Somerset Police, by calling the police on 101. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please contact us via e-mail, telephone on our freephone number 033 03001103 or by completing a request a call back form below. 

Feversham Special School opened in 1978 and closed in 1996. It was a wholly independent organisation. Senior members of staff John Leslie Duncan and Kevin Brown were convicted of offences against children and sentenced to 15 years and 6 years respectively. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences.

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form

Hazelwood Children’s Home in Nottingham is under investigation in relation to non-recent sexual offences in the early 1980’s. Michael Robinson, 63, of Sheffield has been convicted of 5 charges of indecent assaut and 1 charge of taking an indecent photograph of a child. 

All the offences relate to his time at Hazelwood during the 1980’s. Robinson was investigated as part of Operation Equinox which is investigating allegations of non-recent abuse at children’s homes and other institutions in Nottinghamshire. Jordans currently have ongoing cases involving allegations of abuse at Hazelwood. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Headlands Children’s Home in Penarth, Wales was the subject of media attention when former member of staff Cyril Samuels was jailed in 1999. He had been found guilty on 4 counts of indecent assault and another 11 of serious sexual assault. 

The investigation formed part of ‘Operation Goldfinch’. Jordans currently have ongoing cases involving allegations of abuse at Headlands and have successfully secured compensation settlements in the past for individuals alleging abuse at Headlands.

 Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Hill End Hospital Adolescent Unit was a treatment facility based in St Albans, which was operational between 1969 and 1995.

The Unit was supposed to treat teenagers under the age of 16 with psychiatric illnesses and mental health issues, most of whom were vulnerable or under care orders. 

Records obtained by the Bedfordshire, Cambridge and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit during ‘Operation Meadow’, which was a three-year investigation into Hill End, demonstrated that patients as young as 10 years old were regularly given adult doses of sedatives as a form of control and punishment.

Many former patients at the Unit have reported being subjected to abuse by the staff ranging from physical assaults to sexual abuse, including rape and frequent sedation and strip searches.

One former patient at the Unit described it as a “dumping ground for children for whom the NHS and local authorities had run out of other ideas.”

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences.

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Gavestone Road Children’s Home closed in 1989. A number of former residents have come forward with allegations of physical and sexual abuse between the 1970s and 1980s. Many of the allegations were corroborated by other survivors. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form

Kendall House was a children’s home for young girls in Gravesend, Kent. The home was run by the Church of England who agreed to conduct their own internal investigation into the home in 2015.

The girls that were sent to the home allege that they were forcibly given harmful medication in excessive doses. An independent investigation by the BBC discovered that numerous women went on to have children with birth defects which may be linked to the medication administered at Kendall House.

 A number of women also allege that they were sexually abused by staff members while resident at the home. The Church of England first agreed an out-of-court settlement in 2010 with former resident Teresa Cooper, who suffered the treatment described above. Numerous other former residents have also obtained compensation following this. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Kesgrave Hall School was a boarding school for boys in Ipswich and was operated by a limited company. It has been the subject of complaints of physical abuse. It closed down in 1993, following a 1992 investigation of allegations of abuse at the school. 

A further investigation into abuse at the school began in January 2013 and a number of former pupils have come forward. A number of convictions have been secured against former members or staff at the school. John McKno worked at Kesgrave between 1986 adn 1987. He admitted 9 acts of sexual indecency in 2016 and was jailed for 14 years. 

The acts were committed in the 1970’s and 1980’s and took place at 3 different schools; Beam Cottage in Devon, St Michael’s College in Worcestershire and Kesgrave. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Kirklevington was a Detention Centre operated by the Home Office (now the Ministry of Justice), intended for 14 to 17 year old boys sentenced to periods of between 3 weeks and 4 months detention. 

The ‘short sharp shock’ treatment was used at this centre. There have been numerous allegations of physical and sexual abuse at this centre, which we are now investigating. 

Cleveland Police have launched an investigation, Operation Magnolia, into abuse at the site in Yarm, North Yorkshire. We would urge anybody affected by abuse at Kirklevington to report these allegations to Cleveland Police, by calling the police 101 service. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences.

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Kingswood Assessment Centre and Secure Unit has been subject to many allegations of physical and sexual abuse and has resulted in ‘Operation React‘, a five-year investigation focusing on allegations of abuse at the Kingswood Assessment Centre. 

Detectives from Operation React have charged a man with 48 offences of alleged indecency with boys. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences.

 If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Knowl View School in Rochdale was opened in 1969 as a school for young boys with learning and behavioural difficulties. It was closed down in early 1995. 

The school is the subject of a number of investigations by both the police and the government. A former staff member, David Higgins, was convicted in 2002 of indecently assaulting young boys at the school. 

Since the latest police investigation began, over 35 further suspects have been identified and over 20 men have been interviewed under caution about similar allegations. In addition to this a separate investigation has focused on allegations of sexual abuse made against the former liberal MP, Cyril Smith, although he is now deceased and therefore cannot be prosecuted. 

The police also launched a separate investigation into an alleged ‘cover-up’ of what happened at Knowl View following allegations of destruction of evidence by Rochdale Council. The government have since taken over this investigation and are urging anybody with any information about what the council did to come forward to assist with the inquiry. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. I

f you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Leeds Grammar School was a private school for boys in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The school still exists today but is now known as The Grammar School at Leeds following a merger with a local girls’ school. 

The school was previously located at Woodhouse Moor before moving to Alwoodley Gates. Complaints of sexual abuse were made by a number of former pupils of the school against Christopher Slater, a former teacher, leading to his arrest in late 2013. 

He admitted a number of offences of indecent assault early in 2015 and was sentenced to 4 years and 4 months’ imprisonment. The offences were committed between 1976 and 1992, and he had also previously been suspended from work in 1999 following similar allegations by another pupil. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Lower Lees School was a residential school run by Liverpool City Council. In the 1990’s Merseyside Police investigated allegations of abuse at the school as part of Operation Care. 

he Child Care Officer Thomas Curbishley and the Head of Care Peter Amundsen at the school were prosecuted. In 1999, Mr Amundsen pleaded guilty to 53 sexual abuse offences against 8 boys aged between 12 and 15 over a period of almost 20 years.

He was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment. Mr Curbishley was also imprisoned. It was confirmed during the investigation that he had been employed by the school without any qualifications and had a history of mental illness. 

It was found that there was no adequate system of monitoring, scrutiny or checks on the backgrounds of employees at the school. The school closed in 2009. 

As a result of recent reports in the media highlighting the abuse at the school and pressure from survivors and victims of the abuse, Merseyside Police are going to review their original investigation and will be contacting victims and will then decide whether they should reinvestigate the school. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences.

 If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Medomsley Detention Centre was a youth detention centre in Consett, County Durham, which operated the “short, sharp shock” regime from the late 1960s until 1990. 

Inmates were subjected to brutal, indiscriminate violence and sexual assaults from a number of officers and staff members. 

Two members of staff, Neville Husband and Leslie Johnson, were convicted of sexual offences against inmates; Husband being convicted twice for the most serious sexual assaults, in 2003 and 2005. Both abusers are now dead. 

Medomsley Detention Centre was investigated as part of Operation Seabrook which was launched by the Durham Constabulary in 2013. This is the largest investigation of its kind. It is understood that nearly 2000 men came forward to report their allegations of the abuse they suffered. 

In 2019 five former prison officers were convicted of physically assaulting detainees over the course of three separate Crown Court trials. They are: • Christopher Onslow “Machine / Mean Machine” • John McGee “Big John / Pigeon Man” • Brian Greenwell “Puppet” • Kevin Blakely “Broken Nose” • Alan Bramley “Bong Eye” Collectively they were jailed for more than 18 years. 

One more Officer, Alexander Flavell, is due to stand trial for offences committed against detainees in February 2023. 

Jordans Solicitors has settled a significant number of cases in relation to Medomsley Detention Centre, and currently represent a large number of clients who allege physical and sexual abuse. We are part of a Steering Group collectively handling claims for over 1,000 clients affected by abuse at Medomsley. 

HM Ministry of Justice have announced that the Medomsley Detention Centre Compensation Scheme has reopened – click here for more information about the scheme. The settlement scheme is designed to compensate survivors of physical abuse at Medomsley Detention Centre without the need to go through complex legal proceedings. 

The scheme provides certainty that former detainees will receive compensation for the physical assaults they suffered by Officers during their time there. 

To be eligible for the scheme, you must be able to prove your period of detention by reference to PNC records and state that you suffered abuse by an Officer during the period that you were detained. Compensation is assessed in accordance with the length of time the men were detained and whether they have suffered lasting physical and psychological injuries. 

The Claimant will also receive a letter of apology from the Ministry of Justice. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best outcome from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number 033 0300 1103 or by completing a request a call back form.

This scheme administers claims from former detainees of Medomsley Detention Centre who suffered physical assaults by Officers and members of staff whilst detained at Medomsley Detention Centre. Medomsley Detention Centre was a youth detention centre in Consett, County Durham which was open from between 1961 to 1987 and operated the “short, sharp shock regime”. 

Detainees were subjected to brutal, indiscriminate violence from Officers and members of staff. Medomsley Detention Centre was investigated as part of Operation Seabrook which was launched by the Durham Constabulary in 2013. This is the largest investigation of its kind.

It is understood that nearly 2000 men came forward to report their allegations of the abuse they suffered. In 2019 five former prison officers were convicted of physically assaulting detainees over the course of three separate Crown Court trials. They are: • Christopher Onslow “Machine / Mean Machine” • John McGee “Big John / Pigeon Man” • Brian Greenwell “Puppet” • Kevin Blakely “Broken Nose” • Alan Bramley “Bong Eye” Collectively they were jailed for more than 18 years. One more Officer, Alexander Flavell is due to stand trial for offences committed against detainees in February 2023. 

Details of the Scheme A former detainee who suffered physical abuse by an Officer or member of staff who was employed at Medomsley during the period they were detained can claim compensation under the scheme.

Eligibility You suffered physical abuse by an Officer or member of staff during your period of detention. Physical abuse is defined as direct application of unlawful force. To be eligible to claim compensation it is necessary to prove: 1. Your period of detention by reference to PNC records and 2. State that you suffered physical abuse by an Officer or member of staff who was employed at Medomsley during the period that you were detained. 

Compensation is assessed in accordance with the length of time you were detained and whether you have suffered lasting physical and psychological injuries. You will also receive a letter of apology from the Ministry of Justice.

Categorisation 

If a claim falls within the scheme then it will be categorised as follows: 

Category 1 – The Claimant was detained at Medomsley for 3 months or less – £1750 

Category 2 – The Claimant was detained at Medomsley for more than 3 months – £2500 

Category 3 – The Claimant has provided medical evidence to show that they sustained lasting physical or psychological injury as a result of their treatment at Medomsley – £3000 – £5000 

The length of detention will take into account multiple periods of detention and the length of detention will be based upon the sentence as set out in the PNC unless the Claimant has confirmed that he did not serve the full sentence in which case it will be based upon the length of time actually served. 

The settlement scheme is designed to compensate survivors of physical abuse at Medomsley Detention Centre without the need to go through complex legal proceedings. The scheme provides certainty that former detainees will receive compensation for the physical assaults they suffered by Officers during their time there. Our lawyers are here to provide support and guidance at a very difficult time. 

If you or someone you know has suffered abuse in any of the situations outlined above please contact the Abuse team on our dedicated freephone number 033 0300 1103 and one of our Specialist Child Abuse Lawyers will be happy to discuss your situation in confidence. Whilst we cannot change what has happened in the past, we will endeavour to recover compensation to allow you to seek the required support to rebuild your life.

Needlewood Assessment Centre was a home at which children were temporarily placed for assessment before being allocated to a more permanent placement such as a foster home or children’s home. 

The centre was run by Barnsley Borough Council and eventually closed down in 2007. Alan Bennett was in charge of the home for a number of years during the 1970s and 1980s, and was convicted in 2003 of 2 serious sex assaults and 8 indecent assaults. Originally sentenced to 11 years, this was reduced in 2005 to 8 years. He was 64 at the time of his conviction. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences.

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

This scheme deals with applications for compensation for people who suffered abuse whilst a child and resident in an institution in Northern Ireland for a period of time between 1922 and 1995 inclusive. 

Abuse is defined as; Having suffered sexual, physical or emotional abuse or neglect or maltreatment, Having witness one or other children suffering this abuse, Having otherwise been exposed to a harsh environment. And /or Was sent to Australia under the Child Migrant Programme immediately after being a resident in an institution. 

An institution is a body, society or organisation in Northern Ireland that was responsible for the care, health, accommodation and welfare of children. It does not include educational institutions, other than training school institutions, borstal institutions or young offenders’ institutions. 

You can apply on behalf of someone who died on, or after, the 28 April 1953 if you are the deceased person’s: • surviving spouse; • civil partner; • cohabiting partner; • surviving child. The closing date for the scheme is the 31st March 2025

The amount of compensation an applicant will receive will be decided by the Redress Panel. The amounts of compensation the Redress Panel can award are: 

1. A standard award payment of £10,000 only;

2. An enhanced award payment of between £10,001 and £80,000; and 

3. An amount of £20,000 if the application is made by or in respect of a person who was sent to Australia under the Child Migrant Programme. 

To assess your eligibility for an award the Redress Panel will consider the nature and extent of the abuse suffered and the physical and psychological injuries which were suffered as a result of this abuse. 

To apply for an award it is necessary to submit an application form to the Redress Panel together with: 

1. Details of the name of the institution(s) you were resident at,

 2. Approximate dates you were there,

3. A short statement describing what happened to you whilst you were at the institution(s) The Redress Panel with also consider the disclosure of medical records or medical reports and reports from other experts when determining the application. 

In addition to a financial award of compensation your legal costs will be paid for under the scheme. Our team will be able to advise you whether you met the eligibility criteria to enable your application to succeed. 

We can also assist in completing the application form, the gathering of evidence and the preparation of a statement to provide evidence to show the abuse you have suffered and how this has affected your life. What can we do? The effects of abuse on a child can have far reaching implications, having an extreme impact on their development as adults and their day to day functioning. 

Our Lawyers are here to provide support and guidance at a very difficult time. If you or someone you know has suffered abuse in any of the situations outlined above please contact the Abuse team on our dedicated Freephone number 0800 9555 094 and one of our Specialist Child Abuse Lawyers will be happy to discuss your situation in confidence. Whilst we cannot change what has happened in the past, we will endeavour to recover compensation to allow you to seek the required support to rebuild your life.

Oakwood School opened in 1974 and closed in 2000. Run by Suffolk County Council it was a school for boys with emotional and behavioural problems. 

In 2015 Eric de Smith, the former head teacher, was convicted of offences against pupils at the school. De Smith’s conviction followed the earlier convictions of former teachers Gerald West and Martin Watts for physical abuse of pupils.

 Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences.

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Penhill Assessment Centre in Cardiff has been subject to allegations of abuse. 

In 2001, former teacher Anthony Burke was jailed for eight and a half years having been found guilty of serious sexual assault on three boys at Penhill.

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Queen Ethelburga’s School is an independent boarding and day school for both girls and boys located in Thorpe Underwood near York. They educate pupils from the ages of 3 up to 19 years old. 

We are aware that a number of claims have emerged regarding sexual abuse relating to the teachers working in Queen Ethelburga’s School. Brian Martin, a former owner of the school was found guilty of sexually abusing a male and female pupil. 

Alexander Rall, former deputy headteacher of the school was also found guilty of sexual abuse.

Jordans Solicitors represent survivors who suffered abuse at Queen Ethelburga’s School. We have a team of highly specialised lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences.

Ratcliffe Road Children’s Home in Leicester was a children’s home operated by Leicestershire County Council. Widespread sexual and physical abuse was uncovered by a police investigation and a public inquiry. 

Many former residents have pursued successful compensation claims. Frank Beck, who was the officer in charge of a number of children’s homes in Leicestershire, was sentenced to five life sentences in 1991 following allegations of abuse spanning the years of 1974 to 1986 at Ratcliffe Road, the Beeches and the Poplars Children’s Homes. Beck went on to die in prison. This case then led to the Kirkwood Inquiry, which was critical of the management at Leicester Social Services. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Red Bank Special Unit at the Newton-le-Willows School in Merseyside is one of many approved schools and children’s homes under investigation by ‘Operation Care‘ following allegations of physical and sexual abuse.

Operation Care resulted in 36 convictions of abuse against children. Red Bank itself has been subject to group litigations and convictions of previous members of staff. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Rhydd Court School in Malvern, Worcester was a council run boarding school for boys between the ages of 10 to 19 with behavioural and learning difficulties. 

They have historically been many allegations of sexual and physical abuse by staff and other pupils at the school. Following investigation the school was closed in 1991, however, investigations have been reopened under Operation Lydstep. 

Following investigations by West Mercia police, 8 people have now been charged with alleged child abuse offences at the school between the late 1970’s and the early 1990’s. 

Jordans Solicitors represent survivors who suffered abuse at Rhydd Court School. We have a team of highly specialised lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. If you would like help in pursuing a claim please make contact with us by email, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request call back form.

Rivendell was a care home in Dewsbury which was run by Kirklees Council. A four year police investigation, ‘Operation Clyde’ covered allegations of abuse at 19 children’s institutions in Kirklees. 

This led to a criminal trial where three convictions were secured. Ian Brooke, who had been employed at Rivendell and Westfields in Mirfield, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for rape and other sexual offences. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Riverside Children’s Home in Rocester was closed by Staffordshire County Council in 1989. It had been the subject of complaints of sexual and physical abuse in the 1980s. As a result of these complaints, a major police investigation named ‘Operation Thor‘ commenced in 1999. The investigation was ran by Staffordshire Police and resulted in eight convictions. 

Former social worker Joseph Hopkins was found guilty of rape and other assaults between 1981 and 1985. Former resident Timothy O’Farrell was sentenced to four years in prison for three serious sexual assaults and five indecent assaults.

Former deputy head Thomas Watson was also convicted of physical abuse in relation to caning. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Royd Edge was a home in Meltham operated by Kirklees Metropolitan Council. A number of complaints of physical and sexual abuse were made, and a four year police investigation, ‘Operation Clyde’ covered allegations of abuse at 19 children’s institutions in Kirklees. 

This led to a criminal trial where three convictions were secured with jail terms of between four and ten years. One of the abusers named by survivors, Mr Breslin, was sentenced to 6 years in 1994. 

Jordans Solicitors have successfully recovered compensation for a number of survivors of abuse at Royd Edge, and continue to act for more. Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Scawby Grove Children’s Home in North Lincolnshire was opened by Lindsey County Council in 1961 as a home for ‘vulnerable children’. The home has been the subject of many complaints of physical and sexual abuse resulting in a police investigation named ‘Operation Courier’. 

In 2002 Michael Brizzalari, a former care home worker at the home near Scunthorpe, was jailed for 15 years having been found guilty of 17 counts of indecent assault, 3 counts of rape and 1 of buggery during the period between 1983 and 1992. 

Jordans have acted for a number of people alleging abuse at Scawby Grove and compensation has been secured.

 Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Sedbury Park Approved School was a community home between 1973 and 1986. The home was investigated under ‘Operation Shotgun‘. This led to the convictions of Geoffrey John Ward Allen, a residential care worker between 1796 and 1984, and Gerald Rex Sweatman, a housemaster at the school who pleaded guilty to indecent assaults against male children. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Shenley Fields Cottage Homes opened in Birmingham in 1887 and were used children’s homes for 100 years until their closure in 1987. 

The homes have been the subject of complaints of abuse and Jordans are currently working on cases relating to the homes.

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences.

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Skegby Hall Schoolwas an approved school for boys in Sutton in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire. In 1973 it became a Community Home with Education for Children. 

It closed in 1992. Skegby Hall is one of several homes being investigated as part of Nottinghamshire’s Police Operation Daybreak. 

A former member of staff has recently been charged with sexual offences against boys in his care. Jordans Solicitors represent survivors who suffered abuse at Skegby Hall. 

If you would like help in pursuing a claim please make contact with us by email, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request call back form.

Skircoat Lodge opened as a children’s home in 1976 in Halifax. It was operated by Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council. 

Following allegations of abuse at the home, ‘Operation Screen‘ ran between 1997 and 2002, and resulted in a 7 year sentence for Malcolm Osric Phillips (head of the home) and a 15 year sentence for Andrew Shalders, both for offences against children at Skircoat Lodge. 

Over 100 successful claims have been pursued. Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Spring Cottage is a children’s home in Hull that has been subject to complaints of physical and sexual abuse resulting in police investigations and a criminal trial. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences.

 If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

St Ambrose is a Roman Catholic Grammar School in Altrincham, Cheshire. The school, which still operates was recently subject to media attention when the former chemistry teacher Alan Morris was jailed for 9 years after being convicted of historic sex offences against pupils at the school. 

Jordans have acted for and successfully recovered compensation for former pupils abused by Morris. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

St Bede’s Catholic School is a Catholic grammar school in Manchester which has been the subject of complaints of abuse. 

There have been allegations of the non-recent sexual abuse of boys aged between 11 and 15 at the school, with Monsignor Thomas Duggan, Father Charles Mulholland and Father Vincent Hamilton all being named as abusers; all three alleged abusers have now died and were never convicted of any such crimes. A further member of staff, Father William Green, admitted 27 sexual assaults in 2007 and as a result was jailed for the abuse of children in his care in the 1970s. 

Claims are now being brought against the Diocese of Salford. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences.

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

St Camillus Children’s Home near Tadcaster was run by the Catholic Diocese of Leeds. It has been the subject of many complaints of physical and sexual abuse. ‘Operation Courier‘ investigated allegations of abuse at the home between the 1960s and 1980s. 

Convictions have been secured. Claimants have pursued successful compensation claims. The manager of the home, James Bernard Littlewood, was sentenced to 13 years in prison for physical and sexual abuse at St Camillus and another home. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

St Benedict’s School for Boys in Reading, Berkshire was established as an Approved School in 1937. The school, run by the Brothers of the Christian School, catered for Roman Catholic boys aged between 15 and 17 at admission. 

From 1973, Brent London Borough Council ran the school as a Community Home with Education. Many former members of staff have been convicted of child sexual offences committed when they worked at the School. 

Father David Pearce,was sentenced to 8 years in prison in 2009 for abusing 5 boys in his care over a 36 year period of abuse. Father Lawrence was convicted of 19 charges of rape and other sexual offences against 10 boys in 2017. John Maestri admitted 5 indecent assaults against children in the 1980’s. 

In 2010 John Skelton was convicted of indecent assaults against two survivors in 1983. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

St Francis Boys’ Home was a children’s home in Shefford, Bedfordshire. It was originally established as an orphanage for the children of the poor in 1868, and eventually closed in 1974. 

It was run by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Northampton. There have been a number of allegations of abuse at the home, both physical and sexual, which have resulted in a renewed police investigation by Bedfordshire Police. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

St Georges, also known as Clarence House, was established in 1922 as St George’s School for Roman Catholic Boys in Freshfield, Formby. It became an Approved School in 1933 for boys aged under 13 at admission, and a Community Home with Education in 1973 run along with Liverpool City Council. 

The home was under the ownership of the Liverpool Catholic Children’s Society, which later became Nugent Care. There have been many allegations of physical and sexual abuse at the home, which have resulted in convictions from the police investigation named ‘Operation Care’. There have been strong group litigations in relation to this home and successful compensation claims have resulted. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences.

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

St Gilberts Approved School in Worcestershire has been subject to allegations of serious sexual and physical abuse. A police investigation, Operation Quail was commenced after alleged abuse was reported in the media. 

The allegations cover a long period between the 1950s and 1970s. The institution was run by brothers of the De le Salle Brotherhood. Even though the former head of the school was convicted of sexual offences relating to his time at St Gilberts, he was shockingly re-instated after serving his sentence.

 Many of the alleged abusers are thought to have died but it is understood that the police remain committed to investigating and are making efforts to locate as many of those involved as possible. 

In November 2017 two ex staff members of staff of St Gilberts were arrested. They have been charged with offences of cruelty, ABH and one of the members of staff has also been charged with sexual offences against the boys in their care. 

Their criminal trial commenced in September 2018. Both men deny the charges against them. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences.

 If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

St Johns Catholic School is a school for deaf children in Boston Spa, Wetherby. The School was originally opened in 1870 and remains open to this day. 

It functions as both a normal day school and as a boarding school. It has been widely reported that one member of staff in particular at the school was subject to a number of complaints regarding sexual abuse of pupils. This was Father Neil Gallanagh, who was a resident chaplain at the school during the 1970s. In 2005 he pleaded guilty to a number of sexual offences against two former pupils and received a 6 month suspended prison sentence along with a £1,500 fine. 

Jordans have achieved out-of-court settlements in 2008 for seven men who were sexually abused by Gallanagh while they were at the school, and we continue to represent further Claimants in actions against the school. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

St Johns Children’s Home in Gravelly Hill North, Erdington has been the centre of a number of child abuse allegations. In 2008, Gilbert Lewis, who was a residential social worker at St Johns, was convicted of six counts of indecent assault against five victims between 1982 and 1992 and sentenced to five years in prison. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

St Peters Approved School at Gainforth, County Durham has been the subject of numerous complaints of physical and sexual assaults. It was operated by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

St Vincents Children’s Home at Formby has been the subject of allegations of physical and sexual abuse. Many former pupils have come forward and a police investigation has been successful. 

Strong group claims have been pursued and compensation has been recovered for many claimants. Former staff member Edward Stanton, was sentenced to 13 years in prison for offences against boys in his care at St Vincents. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

St Williams Approved School/Community Home at Market Weighton, East Yorkshire was a home operated by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Middlesbrough and the Roman Catholic De La Salle Brotherhood. 

There have been a number of police investigations into the widespread sexual and physical abuse of children at the home. Abuse spanned from 1954 to 1992 when the home closed. 

One prolific abuser, James Carragher had been convicted on two previous occasions and sentenced to a total of 21 years imprisonment. In January 2016, Carragher was sentenced to a further 9 years imprisonment, whilst Anthony McCallen was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment. These sentences followed a 10 week trial in 2015, following which both were found guilty of offences against children in their care. 

Jordans are currently representing a large number of clients who allege abuse by various member of staff at St Williams; 5 lead cases will be tried in 2016.

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences.

 If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Stockton Hall was an approved school for junior boys between 1963 to 1973. The School then became a Community Home with Education. The School was run by York Borough Council. 

The Police are investigating complaints of physical and sexual abuse by former pupils of the school. 

Jordans Solicitors represent survivors who suffered abuse at Stockton Hall. If you would like help in pursuing a claim please make contact with us by email, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request call back form.

Taff Vale Children’s Home in Cardiff came to the attention of South Wales Police who launched a full investigation under the name ‘Operation Duffy‘ in 1996. 

The scope of that enquiry was widened and came to involve a large number of cares homes in the area. By 1997 ‘Operation Goldfinch‘ became the name for the wider enquiry. The investigation was originally sparked by the arrest and conviction of former social worker Geoffrey Morris.

Morris pleaded guilty to a serious of offences relating to the children in his care and related to crimes that took place at various children’s homes in the area including Taff Vale and the Gorse Place Children’s Home. Brian Johnson a former social worker who worked at Taff Vale as a team leader was also convicted of sexual abuse and sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences.

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Tennal was an Assessment Centre at Harbourne Road in Birmingham. Mainly providing residence for males it was later attended by females and was the subject of a police investigation into allegations of sexual abuse by staff in the late 1990s/early 2000s which resulted in the prosecution and conviction of several former members of staff including: Arthur Birch; Terry Goodall; Peter Brook and Eugene Devotti. 

The police investigation went under the name of Operation Camassia and was dealt with by West Midlands Police. Almost 100 individuals brought successful claims against Birmingham City Council, the authority responsible for the home after 1st July 1974. The majority of the claims related to the 1970s and 1980s. Claims for abuse at Tennal occurring before 1st July 1974 are much more difficult. 

Despite extensive enquiries the solicitors investigating the claims established that the school was run by a board of governors none of whom could be traced or confirmed to be alive. It therefore meant that there was no defendant with sufficient available finances to meet those claims. Whilst we are not able to take any claims for abuse occurring before 1st July 1974, we are able to take claims for abuse after that date or even where the abuse overlaps that period.

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

The Beeches was a children’s home in Leicester, operated by Leicestershire County Council. Widespread sexual and physical abuse was uncovered by a police investigation and a public inquiry. 

Many former residents have pursued successful compensation claims. Frank Beck, who was the officer in charge of a number of children’s homes in Leicestershire, was sentenced to five life sentences in 1991 following allegations of abuse spanning the years of 1974 to 1986 at Ratcliffe Road, the Beeches and the Poplars Children’s Homes. Beck went on to die in prison. This case then led to the Kirkwood Inquiry, which was critical of the management at Leicester Social Services.

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Nazir Afzal has been appointed as the Chairman of the Catholic Church’s Safeguarding Body (CSSA) in England and Wales. Mr Afzal was the former Chief Crown Prosecutor in the Rochdale grooming gang cases. 

The CSSA has been formed as a result of the criticism the Church received from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA). The IICSA found that between 1970 and 2015 the Church received more than 3,000 complaints of child sexual abuse against more than 900 individuals connected to the Church. 

The IICSA’s final report on the Church said that Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the Head of the Church of England and Wales,” appeared at times to care more about the impact of abuse on the Church’s reputation than on the victims”. 

At the time Cardinal Nichols said he was “deeply sorry to anybody who suffered and he must learn from the IICSA’s findings”. The focus of the CCSA is to implement a “new action plan which will be able to sanction clergy and dioceses who do not meet its standards on child safeguarding.” It is hoped that it will help to enforce professional standards relating to child safety on its clergy and dioceses. 

Two members of the Catholic Survivors England Group, who participated in the IICSA, said in a joint statement that they were: “Very encouraged by Mr Afzal’s track record with victims and survivors. A seismic shift in culture is needed within the Church’s safeguarding processes and it’s interaction with victims and survivors.” 

Mr Afzal, a practicing Muslim who served as the Chief Crown Prosecutor for north-west England and Director in London, as well as the Chief Executive of the Police and Crime Commissioners has made the following statement : “In the past three decades he had learned that victims have been failed by every institution who were responsible for safeguarding them and how reputation was thought more important than exposing those who abuse. The Catholic Church has recognised the failures of the past and the need to put things right. This is what attracted me to the role.” 

Jordans Solicitors represent victims who have suffered abuse through their participation with the Church and other religious organisations. 

If you have been a victim of abuse and would like to speak to one of our specialist abuse lawyers in confidence, please do not hesitate to contact us. We can advise you on pursuing a Civil damages claim. 

Jordans Solicitors successfully represent and have secured compensation for numerous victims of abuse. We are experts in overcoming the particular challenges that arise in these sensitive cases. Our abuse team can be contacted on 0800 9555 094 or 0330 300 1103 for a free and confidential initial consultation.

The Hesley Group were responsible for Fullerton House and Wilsic Hall School which were private residential children’s homes in Doncaster for children with disabilities and complex health needs. 

There have been numerous reports of physical and sexual abuse at the homes which we are currently investigating. There is also an ongoing South Yorkshire Police and Doncaster Safeguarding Partnership complex child abuse investigation which is called Operation Lemur Alpha. The investigation is examining alleged abuse at the homes between January 2018 and October 2021. 

We would urge anybody affected by abuse at either of these homes to report these allegations to South Yorkshire Police, by calling the police 101 service. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

The Hollies was a children’s home ran by Southwark Council in Burnt Oak Lane, Sidcup, Kent. It was run from 1965 until its closure in 1989. 

Previous allegations of abuse at the Hollies resulted in a police investigation which led to convictions. They also led to a further investigation into claims of abuse by Jimmy Saville. This resulted in a dedicated helpline for former residents. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Banham Marshalls College (formerly the Old Rectory) was a private school near Attleborough in Norfolk. An investigation was launched in 2003 by Norfolk Police and social services which resulted in members of staff at the school being convicted of cruelty against children and indecent assault between the early 1970s and 2003. 

The former owner and headmaster of the College George Robson and his brother Anthony Robson, known as Mr Thomas, were convicted of numerous child cruelty offences in 2007. 

The College’s caretaker David Clarke was also convicted of an offence of child cruelty in 2005. Many former students have successfully claimed compensation for abuse suffered there. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

The Ridge was a children’s home located on The Park in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The home was intended for troubled boys under the age of 18, and was closed down in approximately 2000. 

An investigation into the home was launched in April 2015 by Nottinghamshire Police, named ‘Operation Xeres‘. Within a month, over 50 people had come forward to make allegations relating to The Ridge and various other institutions also under investigation. 

The first charges resulting from the investigation were brought in October 2015. 

Jordans have had success in claiming against the body responsible for The Ridge in the past and we are still able to take on new cases. Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

The Scottish Redress Scheme is a compensation scheme for people who have been abused in care as children. 

To be eligible for the scheme: 

1. The abuse must have taken place prior to the 1st December 2004; 

2. In Scotland;

 3. You must have been under the age of 18 years; 

4. The abuse must have been sexual, physical, emotional abuse and neglect; 

5. The abuse must have taken place in a long term residential setting. 

Under the scheme a successful applicant will receive: 

1. Payment 

2. Apology 

3. Emotional Support.

A fixed rate payment of £10,000 can be awarded or an application for an individually assessed payment of up to £100,000 can be made. To apply for a fixed rate payment you must show that you were living in a care setting when you were abused, when and were you were abused, together with a written statement about your experiences. 

To apply for an individually assessed payment you must provide supporting evidence of your abuse by reference to your medical, social or school records. 

Your evidence must show when and where you were abused, what type of abuse you suffered, who was involved with your abuse and whether you were singled out for specific reasons. Witness statements can be supported as evidence of your abuse, as can criminal convictions of those who were responsible for your abuse. 

It is also necessary to provide evidence to show the physical, psychological or psychiatric injuries which you have suffered. Your application will be considered by the Scheme’s panel and an award of between £10,000 to £100,000 will be offered to you.

 It is also possible of a person’s next of kin to make an application under the scheme for a fixed award of £10,000. You would be eligible if: 

1. You are the parent or partner of the person who suffered the abuse; 

2. They died after the 1st December 2004; 

3. They died before completing their application or accepting a redress payment; 

4. They met the eligibility of the Scottish Redress Scheme. 

To accept an offer of an award you must confirm your acceptance in writing and sign a legal waiver. The waiver confirms that you agreed that you will not start of continue any civil Court action about abuse that is eligible under the Scottish Redress Scheme and direction at the Scottish Government and organisations that financially contribute to the scheme and are on the contributors list. 

In addition to a financial award of compensation your legal costs will be paid for under the scheme. 

Our team will be able to advise you whether you met the eligibility criteria to enable your application to succeed. We can also assist in completing the application form, the gathering of evidence and the preparation of a statement to provide evidence to show the abuse you have suffered and how this has affected your life. 

What can we do? The effects of abuse on a child can have far reaching implications, having an extreme impact on their development as adults and their day to day functioning.

 Our Lawyers are here to provide support and guidance at a very difficult time. If you or someone you know has suffered abuse in any of the situations outlined above please contact the Abuse team on our dedicated Freephone number 0800 9555 094 and one of our Specialist Child Abuse Lawyers will be happy to discuss your situation in confidence. Whilst we cannot change what has happened in the past, we will endeavour to recover compensation to allow you to seek the required support to rebuild your life.

The Solar Centre is an NHS-managed care centre at St Catherine’s Hospital in Doncaster. The centre cares for vulnerable adults. 

The centre was investigated by the police when a former staff member resigned and made formal allegations about patients being mistreated and physically abused. This resulted in the suspension of four members of staff and the eventual criminal convictions of two former staff members in May 2013. 

Susan Murphy and James Hinds were convicted of 25 counts of various forms of abuse against 12 different patients between 2005 and 2007, although more people made allegations. 

The pair were each sentenced to 2 years and 9 months’ imprisonment. Jordans have had success in claiming compensation for those abused at The Solar Centre in the past and we are still able to take on new cases. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences.

 If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Throxenby Hall began in 1946 as a home for boys, run by North Riding Council. Responsibility over the home was later transferred to North Yorkshire County Council Social Services Department. 

Throxenby Hall housed up to 60 boys aged 9 and over, and continued to do so until its closure in 1991. There have been a number of allegations of sexual and physical abuse at the home, which has resulted in an investigation by North Yorkshire Police and three arrests in 2015.

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form

Ty Mawr was an Approved School in Gilwern near Abergavenny, which was operated by Newport City Council between 1949 and 1993. 

An investigation under the name ‘Operation Flight‘ resulted in the conviction of a number of former members of staff for the sexual, physical and emotional abuse of children in their care. In 2000, the former deputy principal Barrie Alden and a former housemaster John Wright were jailed for 15 years and 8 years respectively for offences against children in their care. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Underley Hall was an independent residential school for boys operating between 1976 and 2012. It closed down following an Ofsted inspection which deemed the school to be inadequate. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences.

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Uplands Children’s Home was a home for both young boys and girls located in Bromsgrove. The home opened in 1967 as a temporary assessment centre, it became a community home in 1981 with on-site education, and eventually closed in June 2010. 

The home has been subject to an investigation by West Mercia Police, which resulted in the conviction in 2003 of Brian Gillam, former manager of Uplands, for numerous counts of rape and indecent assault against young girls. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

 There have been further complaints by both boys and girls that were at Uplands about both Brian Gillam and other staff. Jordans have had success in claiming compensation for those abused at Uplands in the past and we are still able to take on new cases.

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Warleigh Manor was established in 1972 as a Residential School for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The school closed in 1997. There have been some allegations of abuse in relation to this school. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Wellesley Nautical School became an Approved School in 1933 and later became Wellesley Community Home in 1973 under The City of Sunderland Council Social Services Department. 

There have been some allegations of abuse at the school which have resulted in a large group litigation against Sunderland City Council.

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences.

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Westfields Assessment Centre at Mirfield was operated by Kirklees Metropolitan Council. A large police investigation uncovered widespread physical and sexual abuse of children in care. 

A four year police investigation, ‘Operation Clyde’ covered allegations of abuse at 19 children’s institutions in Kirklees. This led to a criminal trial where three convictions were secured. Ian Brooke, who had been employed at Westfields and Rivendell Care Home in Dewsbury, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for rape and other sexual offences. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences.

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Jordans Solicitors act for a number of survivors who suffered abuse at Whatton Detention Centre. Whatton Detention Centre was a Nottinghamshire detention centre for boys under the age of 18 which opened in 1966. It followed the regime of the “ short, sharp shock” punishment.

 The young detainees suffered physical and sexual abuse from the Officers who worked there. In April 2016 Nottinghamshire Police started investigating complaints of abuse under Operation Equinox; this investigation is ongoing. 

If you would like help in pursuing a claim please make contact with us by email, telephone on our freephone number of by completing a request call back form.

Wilsic Hall became the subject of allegations of abuse following the conviction of a house warden, Dennis Grain, who was the warden of a boarding house at the school. 

The boarding house, known as Axeholme House, was established in 1979. Grain was convicted in the early 1990s of sexually abusing boys aged between 12 and 15 during the period between 1979 and 1982, and received a sentence of 7 years in prison as a result. Claims for compensation followed this conviction. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

William Henry Smith School was opened in 1961. The school, which still operates today, was a school for children with special educational needs. 

In recent years the school was subject to a criminal investigation after a number of ex-pupils alleged both sexual and physical abuse by staff at the school between the 1960s and 1980s. Jordans have acted in a number of such cases and successfully negotiated damages for several former pupils. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Windlestone Hall was a special school which came under scrutiny in 1998 when it closed down following allegations of abuse resulting in an investigation by the police and social services, and the suspension of 14 members of staff amid allegations of physical and sexual abuse. The school has now re-opened under new management. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

The Woodend Assessment Centre was originally opened by Lancashire Council in 1969 as a remand home. 

A series of police investigations have been carried out into the home and allegations of serious abuse relating to the children placed there. An investigation was launched by Greater Manchester Police under “Operation Milam” in 2015 and has so far resulted in one arrest of a former member of staff who is due to appear before court this year. 

We are aware of a number of cases that relate to serious allegations of abuse against various members of staff who worked at Woodend. 

We urge anyone who has been affected by abuse at Woodend to seek advice to ensure that their own allegations are properly investigated. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences.

Woodstock Road was a children’s home established in the 1970s to provide for children committed to the care of Newcastle Social Services. 

As early as 1976 it became apparent that there were serious problems and these resulted in the investigation of staff member Hugh Bostock who was convicted in 1976 of offences relating to the children in his care. 

Bostock was convicted of 55 offences of sexual abuse relating to children at Woodstock Road during the period of his employment. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences.

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.

Ystrad Hall was an independent school in Llangollen in North Wales, run by a company known as Care Concern Ltd. It was established as a school for handicapped pupils in the socially maladjusted category. The home opened in 1974 but closed down in 1981. 

The home was investigated as part of the larger overall investigation into child abuse in North Wales as part of the Waterhouse Inquiry. Allegations were made by a number of former pupils there that they had suffered physical and sexual abuse by more than one of the staff members at Ystrad Hall. Since the report was published in 2000, many more people have come forward with their own allegations about the school. 

Jordans Solicitors have a dedicated team of highly specialist lawyers who can ensure your claim is handled sensitively, enabling you to secure the best level of compensation from those responsible for your traumatic experiences. 

If you would like help with pursuing a claim, please make contact with us by e-mail, telephone on our freephone number or by completing a request a call back form.