Solicitor, Abuse
Local authority care is a place where vulnerable young people are looked after by adult staff members, such as a children’s home. Other examples or types of local authority care include residential schools and foster homes.
Just like schools, in local authority care, adults are tasked with looking after these vulnerable young children, but these situations are more serious than school, because these staff members are responsible for these young people’s wellbeing, living conditions and overall care. This means that these staff members have a massive amount of power and responsibility over the lives of young people living in their care.
Unfortunately, in some cases, staff members can abuse this power they hold over these children. When staff have such influence over vulnerable children and young people’s lives, it makes it far easier for these young people to be groomed, because they rely on staff for direction and wellbeing. It also means that things are less likely to be reported, because the young people may be afraid to speak out, in fear of losing their place in the care institution.
Sexual abuse cases can happen in local authority care, often at the hands of staff members and social workers.
Sexual abuse in care can have massive and long-lasting effects on the victims, and this kind of thing can be especially damaging to the mental health of young people who are already vulnerable.
If you’ve experienced abuse in local authority care – as with our case study below – we can help you claim the compensation you need to begin your journey towards healing.
We're rated‘Excellent’This was a document heavy case, in which we obtained the client’s care records, and GP and hospital records. It was clear from the social care records that there had been 62 instances of prolonged contact between the client and the abuser.
Also noted within the care records was the significant concern by the Local Authority as to the abuser’s relationship with the client at the time. We obtained a medical report from a consultant psychiatrist who had a lot of experience in abuse cases. The psychiatrist read through all the client’s records and met with the client to discuss his history and what had happened whilst he was at the children’s home.
The psychiatrist produced a report setting out the history of the case, his opinion as to how the abuse had affected the client, a prognosis and recommended treatment. The psychiatrist’s report and all the client’s records then went to an experienced abuse Barrister, who produced written guidance advising on the claim in general and an opinion as to how much compensation the case was worth.
All the records and the report were sent to the Solicitor representing the Local Authority. The client made them an offer based on his Barrister’s opinion, but the offer wasn’t accepted. The Local Authority decided to obtain their own medical evidence and following receipt of this, a meeting was arranged between the client, his Barrister and the client’s medical expert to discuss the case in general and the defendant’s medical evidence.
Prestigious Catholic school Ampleforth College has became a subject of controversy after a report by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sex Abuse (IICSA) in 2018 revealed shocking evidence of child sex abuse, spanning several decades.
The Victims’ Commissioner, Dame Vera Baird, has called on the UK Government to re-evaluate special measures that are in place for rape victims during a Court trial.
This case study delves into the complexities of seeking compensation for survivors of abuse, particularly through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). Highlighting a successful claim for a client abused at a boarding school in the 1970s, it outlines the CICA's eligibility criteria, the importance of legal advice, and the resources available to survivors. Our Abuse Claim team's approach and dedication to supporting clients through the claim process are emphasised, showcasing expertise in handling abuse compensation cases.
National Resource Center on Domestic Violence. (n.d.). Psychological Consequences of Sexual Trauma. VAWnet. https://vawnet.org/material/psychological-consequences-sexual-trauma
NHS. (n.d.). Help after rape and sexual assault. NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/help-after-rape-and-sexual-assault/
Verywell Mind. (n.d.). Symptoms of PTSD After a Rape. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/symptoms-of-ptsd-after-a-rape-2797203
Joshua works as a Solicitor in our Abuse Department, which operates under the leadership of Liam Goggin.
Joshua has been with Simpson Millar since 2019, where he started as a Paralegal in the Abuse Department, a role he stayed in for two years. His dedication and drive then led him to a position as a Trainee Solicitor, where he worked in the Industrial Disease and Military Claims Departments. His passion for representing victims of abuse made him return to the Abuse department, where he completed his training contract and began working as a Solicitor.
He takes immense pride in representing victims of abuse, deeply valuing the trust his clients place in him. Every day, he's reminded of the importance of listening attentively, acting in the clients' best interests, and guiding them through their challenging moments. Ever since he began his legal career, Joshua knew he wanted to help represent victims of abuse. It means a lot to him when clients trust him with their stories and cases. His main goal is to help his clients as much as he can, so they can start to heal and move on.
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