GSCB News Release 20^th March 2007: Eunice Spry 
 

The Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children Board has issued a statement in response to the conviction of a former foster carer today, of child cruelty and abuse.  

Jo Grills, Chair of the Gloucestershire Safeguarding Board, said:

 
“On behalf of the Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children Board, I am pleased that justice has been done today. I want to praise the young people for having had the courage to come forward and give evidence.

 
Eunice Spry is someone who other parents trusted with their children. She deliberately set out to deceive those parents and all of the agencies involved over a twenty-year period.

 
As soon as allegations were made by the young people, everyone acted swiftly leading to the trial and prosecution.

 
The role of the Safeguarding Board is to make sure that we learn lessons from what has happened in order to prevent similar situations occurring in the future.

 
Although these children were seen by many different professionals, few were a consistent presence. Information was not shared so that it was impossible for anyone to have a clear picture. As a result of the Victoria Climbie enquiry, one of the significant safeguards now in place is the requirement for agencies to work far more closely together and for information to be shared.

 
This case underlines the responsibility we all have to remain alert to people who deliberately deceive others about their real motive for working with children. Safeguarding children is everyone’s business.” 

Criminal proceedings against former foster carer, Eunice Spry concluded today (Tues 20th March) with convictions for cruelty and abuse against three children. Mrs Spry will be sentenced on 10th April.

 
Mrs Spry was initially approved as a childminder then, following spells as a private foster carer (private arrangements with families), she was approved as a County Council carer. Parental legal responsibility for all the young people referred to in this case was subsequently given to Mrs Spry through the courts making Residence Orders or Adoption Orders in her favour. 

Statement from Jo Davidson,

Group Director of Children and Young People’s Services, Gloucestershire County Council

20^th March 2007 

Eunice Spry is someone who other parents trusted with their children. She deliberately set out to deceive those parents and all of the agencies involved over a twenty-year period. 

These children were placed in Mrs Spry’s care by their parents under a private arrangement. Mrs Spry later became approved as a local authority foster carer, which enabled these children to remain with her. They were subject to monitoring and review by social care services and any concerns reported were investigated. This did not reveal concerns at the level that came out during the trial.  

Mrs Spry was given legal parental responsibility by the court that effectively ended the involvement of social care services. Almost as soon as these orders were granted, Mrs Spry removed the children from school to educate them at home, taking them away from the important source of child protection monitoring that schools can provide.  

At the same time, Mrs Spry involved numerous medical professionals, including seeking private opinion, denying any one person from building up a picture of the children’s care.  As a result of this, none of the agencies were able to build a complete picture of what was happening to the children.   

As soon as one of the children told someone what had been happening in the home, social care services worked with the police to ensure the immediate protection of the young people involved.  Everyone who comes into contact with a child has a duty to share information when they have concerns.  

This case has reinforced the importance of measures put in place following the Climbie Inquiry in 2003, which are vital in the safeguarding of children and young people. These include: 

• A requirement that all children are seen and spoken to alone when concerns about them are raised
• An expectation that records held by all agencies will contain a clear chronology (diary) of key events so that anyone accessing the records can see the picture at a glance
• Agreements about appropriate sharing of key information between agencies to ensure that each knows about the others’ work with a family
• The creation of a Safeguarding Board which includes all agencies and provides challenge to organisations to ensure that child protection remains a high priority
• Bringing together education and social care services for children into one organisation to improve communication and co-ordination

 

We have taken a pro-active stance lobbying the Government about its current home education policy, particularly our concerns about the lack of access to children.  

Services for children and young people in Gloucestershire are one of only seven in the country to have been giving the top level by Government in this year’s ratings. However, we are not complacent and plans are in place to share lessons arising from this case. What remains vital is that all those who come into contact with children, young people and their families continue to regard safeguarding as the responsibility of everyone.  

A useful guide that explains what to do if you are worried a child is being abused can be accessed on: 

http://www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/resources-and-practice/IG00182/ 

If you have an immediate and serious concern, call 01452 426565.

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