JERSEY "SCANDAL" AND GOOD SHEPHERD (SCOTLAND)

[ The Jersey fake scandal is so similar to its Irish counterparts (especially the allegations of child-killing) that it was only a matter of time before the hysteria spread to a Catholic institution. ]

Scottish Kids' Home Abuse Probe
Daily Record, 6 March 2008 By Janice Burns

A school for troubled girls is at the centre of a police probe over claims a "punishment room" was used to abuse pupils.

Police moved in to the Good Shepherd Centre - a residential school - after a tip-off from a former worker to the Care Commission watchdogs.

The commission launched their own investigation into the school in Bishopton, Renfrewshire, then called in Strathclyde Police.

An insider said: "Some of the allegations of abuse would make your hair stand on end.

"The kids have reported they were punched, slapped, beaten up and severely restrained in what they described as the punishment room.

"The isolation room, as the staff call it, is supposed to be there to give a child time to cool down. But the children said it was being used to abuse them.

"The Care Commission found evidence of alleged abuse which was bad enough for them to call in the police immediately.

"Maybe it was the Jersey children's home abuse scandal that triggered the initial letter of complaint from the ex-employee. [!!]

"Whatever it was that made them alert the authorities, it has to be a good thing.

"It seems that it has been going on for a while. But now the police and other agencies are involved, they will finally put a stop to it."

A police spokeswoman said: "Strathclyde Police, along with the local authority and the Care Commission, are currently making inquiries in respect of the Good Shepherd.

"Inquiries are at a very early stage."

Care Commission director of children's services regulation Ronnie Hill said: "We received an anonymous complaint regarding the Good Shepherd in February.

"During our investigation, we became aware of other issues which were promptly raised with police, Renfrewshire Council and other related agencies.

"As this is now the subject of a police investigation, it is inappropriate for us to comment further."

The Good Shepherd is run independently by a management committee in a building and grounds owned by the Catholic Church. There are 54 girls and 200 staff.

Readers Comments:
My mum had told me about the situation in Bishopton. I want you to know that I was on a voluntary basis for more than a year at the Good Shepherd. I absolutely loved it. There was no abuse, staff were supportive, teachers were great! And I left that school with 6 standard grades under my belt. They also helped me apply for college and I have many good friends from Goretti Unit, whom I am still in contact with. I also corresponded with the staff there. I am absolutely outraged that a former employee would suggest abuse in the centre and I can guarantee that while I was currently living there, a few years ago, it was one of the best places you could stay! I have many happy memories of that place and they have succeeded in making a non-judgmental person who grabbed life by the horns. It was a privilege to be involved with the centre.