Poots calls for care abuse ‘whistleblowers’

The Stormont health minister Edwin Poots has appealed for anyone within the social care system with information about wrongdoing to come forward.
The minister’s call for “whistleblowers” follows revelations that young people in the care system have been sexually exploited after going missing from children’s homes.

A group of 22 young people aged between 13 and 18 may have been abused.

Mr Poots said staff with information should contact a senior manager.

“If they don’t get attention, bring it right to the top of the organisation – that is myself and the permanent secretary,” he said.

“And if there are issues that need to go to the police, they need to take those issues to the police.

“And I can assure people that do that, there will be no repercussions whatsoever.

“I will stand over that and ensure that they’re treated with the utmost respect.”

Mr Poots is considering asking an outside expert to lead an independent review into the performance of social services.

He is expected to make a final decision before the end of the month.

His DUP colleague Paul Givan, who is chair of the assembly justice committee, has called for the Justice Minister David Ford to initiate a similar review of how the criminal justice system performed.

More than 30 people have been arrested as part of a major investigation into the sexual exploitation of children and young people.

A number of people have already appeared in court charged with sexual exploitation and other offences.