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CALDEY ISLAND INDEPENDENT SAFEGUARDING REVIEW

Some rather astonishing and – it seems – positive news below.  I’ll need to read it and absorb it fully and its implications but four points come immediately to mind

1)Congratulations to  Survivor Kevin O’Connell for fighting for this result.

2) I know the RLSS helped at an early stage. Whether they assisted in making this review happen, I don’t know. If they did, then they have shown their real value as a safeguarding organization. Certainly they are listed in the document below.

If they didn’t, it’s a useful role model for the RLSS to take note of for other religious reviews.

3) In particular, this is how reviews should act as a TEMPLATE  for long overdue reviews of CROOME COURT and for THE DE LA SALLES

And, I believe, the Ipswich KNIGHTS OF ST COLUMBA whose criminal behaviour towards children in the 60s and almost certainly beyond must be dealt with properly and vigorously by the RLSS.

4)Kevin O’Connell also implicated Catholic priests in organized pedophile rings connected with Caldey Island.

This tallies with at least  three other examples of UK organised Catholic pedophile rings, including my own experience as a boy.

Hitherto, everywhere on the planet has had numerous examples of organized, systemic Catholic sexual abuse of children – except for… Britain. Somehow it’s part of our British supposed ‘exceptionalism’.   

I was impressed by this statement by the monks:  ‘Caldey Island is under new leadership and they are committed to transparency, openness and healing.’

 If only that were true of the De La Salles, Croome Court and the Knights who all make similar claims, but purely as a PR exercise and they provably don’t mean a word of it.

Let’s hope these monks are different and for real.

One gripe already… They should not use the word HISTORICAL which it’s widely accepted now is inappropriate, outmoded and dismissive of the full impact of the numerous and terrible crimes against children committed by the Catholic Church.

I know ‘non-recent’ is a bit crap,too, so why bother with it at all. Or say ‘crimes committed in the 1960s/70s/80s’ as the case may be.

This was the email I received this morning.

Hi Pat,

Caldey Abbey has just announced it has commissioned an independent review into historical claims of child abuse. The review is being conducted by Jan Pickles OBE and all the details are in the attached press release, FAQs and terms of reference documents. Maria Battle, the former deputy Children’s Commissioner for Wales is the new safeguarding lead on Caldey and she is available for comment. She can be contacted at this email address (safguarding@caldey-island.co.uk) or on 07562 946894.

This review is focusing on the case of Kevin O’Connell and he as asked that you be contacted to let you know about the review.

Kind regards,

Caldey Abbey

I’ve opened the documents for fellow survivors of Catholic crimes to read. As follows:

PRESS RELEASE

9th April 2024

Caldey Abbey Announces New Leadership and Commitment to Safeguarding 

Caldey Island, West Wales – Caldey Island Cistercian Abbey is pleased to announce the appointment of Father Jan Rossey as its new Superior. Father Rossey is committed to fostering openness and transparency within the monastery. As a central pillar of this approach, an independent review into historical claims of child abuse has been commissioned. 

“In common with many other organisations, Caldey Abbey has, in the past, received disclosures and allegations involving members of the monastic community about their behaviour towards children”, stated Father Jan. “We take these allegations very seriously and, in order to uphold our commitment to safeguarding, we have commissioned a leading Independent Safeguarding Consultant, Jan Pickles OBE, to conduct a thorough review.” 

“This review is about taking responsibility, learning from the past, and building a safe environment for everyone,” Father Rossey continued. “I have also appointed Maria Battle, formerly the Deputy Children’s Commissioner for Wales, as our new safeguarding lead. Maria is reviewing our safeguarding policies, practice and training to ensure all visitors to Caldey are safe.”  

“As we prepare to welcome visitors back to Caldey Island, we remain dedicated to providing a secure environment with effective procedures for safeguarding all who visit, live on, or work on the island.” 

The conclusions of the review will be made public after completion.

For More Information

Phone calls

  • Religious Life Safeguarding Service (RLSS) on 0300 323 0096
  • Police on 101
  • Maria Battle on 07562 946894

Email

End

CALDEY SAFEGUARDING REVIEW – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS):

Why is this happening now?

Caldey Island is under new leadership and they are committed to transparency, openness and healing. The first step to healing is listening and Fr Jan Rossey, the new superior of the Abbey, is conscious that people affected by historic abuse may not have been properly heard. He wants those affected to have a voice and to ensure that the lessons from the past are learned and to ensure everyone living on and visiting the island is safe.

Who is Jan Pickles OBE, the independent reviewer?

Jan is the former Assistant Police & Crime Commissioner for South Wales. She is an experienced social worker and has also worked in the third sector, probation service, government and the NSPCC. She is the director of a safeguarding advisory service to government, local authorities, NGO’s, education, sport, faith groups and the private sector. She has undertaken a wide range of similar reviews including Chelsea Football Club, Winchester College and for the Archdiocese of Birmingham. In 2022she chaired the Child Practice Review into the death of Logan Mwangi. She has held Ministerial appointments as a member of the National Independent Safeguarding Board of Wales and as a non-executive Director for an NHS Trust. She has been the Chair and remains a member of the Advisory Board for the Centre for Expertise in Child Sexual Abuse a Home Office funded UK wide based organisation which provides evidence-based approaches to the prevention of child sexual abuse and protection of victims. Jan Pickles had no previous connection to Caldey Island or the Abbey.

Will the results of the review be published?

Yes. The key findings and recommendations will be published.

How long will it be before publication?

The review is underway. We will give whatever time is needed to complete it so we can’t say just yet as this is up to the reviewer.

Is this a public inquiry?

No, this is an independent review. Requests for a public inquiry were not granted by the Welsh Government or the Children’s Commissioner for Wales. Caldey Abbey does not have the legal powers to hold a public Inquiry but the new leadership at Caldey Abbey is keen to take the initiative to listen to the evidence and act on the recommendations of the independent reviewer.

What will be reviewed?

The review will examine in detail the allegations made by Kevin O`Connell and the management of those allegations by Caldey Abbey and identify any learning. The terms of reference for the review have been agreed and are on the website.

How will the review be undertaken?

By considering all the written material kept by Caldey Abbey and the Diocese of Menevia and meeting with Kevin O’Connell to listen to him and consider any material he has and by interviewing all appropriate staff and others and relevant professionals. Other past cases will be considered as part of the context of the review however, it is not the purpose of this review to make any specific findings of fact in relation to other past cases.

Can I have an interview with Fr Jan Rossey now about the review?

Whilst the review is underway it is inappropriate for Fr Jan to comment as he should have the opportunity to consider the evidence and the findings of the review first.

Who can I speak to about the review then?

Maria Battle, the Caldey Island Safeguarding Lead would be happy to speak to you, although what she can say whilst the review in underway is limited as the evidence is still being gathered. You can also contact the Religious Life Safeguarding Service or the Police. Contact details can be found on the press release.

Is this review connected to the Caldey Island Survivors Campaign?

The independent reviewer is considering the allegations of Kevin O`Connell who leads the campaign However, the review is independent of both this campaign and of Caldey Abbey. 

Is it safe for me and my family to go to Caldey?

Yes. In line with best practice elsewhere all monks and staff have received safeguarding training. A new Safeguarding Policy has been adopted along with new processes and reporting systems. A new Safeguarding Lead (Maria Battle) has been appointed, who is a former Deputy Children’s Commissioner for Wales.

Is the review truly independent if Caldey Abbey is funding it?

Absolutely. Caldey Abbey does not know what the reviewer will find and will not be able to influence or modify its findings or recommendations.

What do I do if I have information that might be relevant to the review?

Please contact Maria Battle, the Religious Life Safeguarding Service or the Police (contact details are on the press release).

Caldey Safeguarding Review: Terms of Reference

Commissioned by Caldey Abbey

Background 

  1. Caldey Abbey is committed to providing an environment in which there are effective procedures for safeguarding and protecting all who visit, live on or work on the Island.
  • In common with many other organisations, Caldey Abbey has, in the past, received disclosures and allegations involving members of the community about their behaviour towards children.  
  • As part of the commitment to safeguarding, Caldey Abbey wishes to examine in detail the allegations made by KO and Review the management of these allegations by its community.

Review 

  • The Abbey has commissioned a leading Independent Safeguarding Consultant, Jan Pickles OBE, to undertake this Review.  Her point of contact will be the Caldey Abbey Safeguarding Lead Maria Battle.
  • The role of the independent Reviewer is to identify any learning for Caldey Abbey from this case.

Methodology  

  1. Review all written material, correspondence and files kept by Caldey Abbey and the Diocese of Menevia relating to this case.
    1. Meet with KO and his support/advocate (if wished) to identify any material he may have in his possession related to the allegations and their handling of.
    1. Interview all staff and others who are deemed appropriate by the Reviewer.
    1. Discuss the case with relevant professionals to gain their insight into the events at the time.
    1. Prepare a written analysis of the material and prepare a high-level ‘key points’ report focusing on lessons learned and guidance for future best practice.

The Review process will be overseen by the Safeguarding Lead Maria Battle who will support the Review by facilitating access to documents and speaking with key staff about the purpose of the Review.

  • Prior to the Review commencing, the Safeguarding Lead will liaise with the Dyfed Powys Police to ensure that they are content with the scope of this Review and the proposed methodology. 
  • Bearing in mind the historical context other relevant bodies including the Children’s Commissioner for Wales should be informed of the Review. 

Limitations 

  • This Review will encourage self-reflection with a focus on systems, policy and practice; it will be about learning and not attributing blame.  If the Review identifies any behaviours that are of a criminal or safeguarding nature Caldey Abbey will follow its safeguarding policy (currently dated November 2022 but a refreshed version is about to be finalised) and make a referral to the appropriate authorities.
  • The Reviewer will also independently make appropriate referrals if the Review identifies any behaviours that are of a criminal or safeguarding nature.
  1.  Where the independent Reviewer provides advice and recommendations during the Review, Caldey Abbey will consider and will act on these rather than wait for the conclusion of the Review. 
  1. The Review will avoid ‘hindsight bias’ to ensure actions or the lack of action following allegations are viewed at the time they came to light.
  1. This Review is not a legal inquiry.  Past cases will be considered as part of the context at the time of KO’s allegation; however, it is not the purpose of this Review to determine criminal or civil liability of individuals or to make any specific findings of fact in relation to past cases.

Final points

  1. This Review is about Caldey Abbey taking ownership and responsibility for ensuring it learns lessons from the past and creates a safe environment for all today.  The output from the Review is the property of the Caldey Abbey.  The Abbey is, however, committed to sharing the output and recommendations with KO and the statutory partners where that would be helpful to do so.
  1. Whilst this Review has been commissioned by Caldey Abbey and is being paid for by Caldey Abbey, the output and recommendations will be those freely and independently formed by the independent Reviewer.  
  1. Any change to these Terms must be agreed by all parties in writing.

 Jan Pickles

21.02.24