As I see it 3 problems with this is when its been Asian men or perhaps other non Whites the Police and councils/social services have been too shit scared to act in case they get accused of being racist. They put being PC before enforcing the law and doing their duty. Fortunately there are still some decent people about who whistle blow this evil.
And secondly in places like childrens homes some kids were seen as fresh meat for staff and their mates including big wigs no doubt to exploit. I have some personal knowledge from a previous job I had about this subject and exploiting kids was so widespread in the 90s that it was seen as normal to some staff who had no interest whatsoever in helping, supporting or protecting the children in the homes they worked in. I have no doubt it still goes on sadly, may be not on the same scale as years ago. Vulnerable kids with no family make ideal targets, its likely to come down to their word against their accusers with no family support network. And its not just sexual abuse, its also how inhumanly some kids were treated, no warmth shown to them, no encouraging them, no praising them. It could be a very cold lonely life. Kids of course need to be nurtured and supported, I do realise staff have to take a balanced stance.
IMO apart from police checks when a person is offered a job with kids it MUST be the case they cant start before the check is done. Like with many other jobs that require such checks its sometimes the case due to how long the checks may take due to backlogs some employers have allowed people to start before the check. This should be illegal in my view. I do have sympathy for a genuine person who needs to be earning asap but the safety of kids and other vulnerable people must be first and foremost. These checks should be speeded up and if necessary take on more people to do them, to me that's a good way to spend resources.
I briefly worked for an NHS contractor in a management role and my check wasn't done until I had been working in Hospitals including access to baby units, and everywhere else for a month. I pointed this out to my boss who couldn't of care less. I left soon afterwards though not for that reason. I know 2 people who work in separate NHS mental health units who not long ago started but the checks weren't done till they were in post for weeks. No idea how widespread this is but it shouldn't be happening. I also have a very good friend who works with vulnerable young people and her check wasn't done until she had been in post for nearly 2 months. She is now senior and this has been addressed in her company so new starters cannot start till the check has been done, this has resulted in some not being prepared to wait however long it might be, and taken a job elsewhere. Not good which is why checks need to be done quicker.
