An update to our case and cause

Yesterday we had the pleasure of meeting yet another Chair for our Serious Case Review.  In 3 years, we've met with 3 different independent Chairs and Reviewers.  But despite this I do feel hopeful.  We've finally landed a rare gem of an Independent Chair.  An HONEST (ish) one.

For the first time in 3 years, someone other than the police involved in the death of born 1 August 1999, enlightened us as to where she was placed when she died.  Our new chair told us she was in the Care of Bryn Melyn Care in Wrexham.  We already new this, but not from Social Services or the SCR, but because we gave up asking them and contacted the coroner and police and asked them.  But why did it take 3 years for Oxford Social Services and the OSCB to ACTUALLY tell us this?  It's not like we could have gone and seen her, she was already gone....  What/Who were they protecting?  Themselves?

Our new chair has a wealth of experience in SCR's, now he was very proud of his history and background but I couldn't help thinking that for him to have gained this experience it meant that other children had died or suffered terrible abuse.  This really saddens me.  We are an accused family (or my brother and his ex wife are), and despite their failures as parents the only crime they are really guilty off is asking social services for help in the first place.

Our new chair has filled us in, he's given us new steam to continue ahead with our fight.  This isn't about money or any other materialistic gain, not for us.  Its about a 13 year old girl who will forever be 13 years old.  She'll never go to prom, she'll never take GCSE's or go to university, she'll never met someone and fall in love, she'll never know what falling in love is like, or get married or even have a family of her own.  Our case and cause is about getting justice, making those accountable be accountable.  Our chair agreed with us.  He's told us he's not afraid to make those judgement calls that'll win no favours.  He's not afraid to recommend sanctions against those involved and question why they make the choices they made.  I've read other SCR's he's been involved in, he doesn't take any prisoners.  So he's given me renewed hope.

We've already seen changes, only yesterday for the 1st time in 6 years, the IRO made contact and invited my brother to have his input into the next review.

So what I can say is Bryn Melyn and Oxford we're coming for you, be afraid be very afraid, because I am a tiger you'll hear my roar........