This Is Guernsey

By Jess Stevenson

THE Women’s Refuge has refused to be inspected for the last four years, according to former deputy Health minister Barry Brehaut.

He wants the charity to undergo an inspection either by Health and Social Services or by an independent national body to make sure there is no duplication of services for vulnerable women and their children.

Deputy Brehaut (pictured), who chairs the Scrutiny Committee, said the fact that he was asking for an inspection was not a criticism of the charity or anyone involved with it.

‘In the last four years HSSD has been attempting to inspect the refuge for best practice. It is an opportunity for the Women’s Refuge to have an endorsement,’ he said.

Deputy Brehaut said the refuge used a States building – a considerable asset – for a peppercorn rent of £100 a year.

It also received an annual grant of £20,000 from Social Security towards its £120,000 running costs.

That meant there should be a mechanism by which the Women’s Refuge was inspected, said Deputy Brehaut.

He added that HSSD inspected residential and nursing homes, and inspected and registered childminders.

It had an obligation as a department to ensure that vulnerable women and children were protected, he said.

‘What we are saying to the refuge is, let us endorse the work you are doing by an inspection.

‘The only way we can get to see if there is a duplication of services is by inspecting the property and services that they provide,’ he said.

Deputy Brehaut said the charity was good at what it did but added: ‘Let us see whether there is any saving to be made.’

It is believed that the matter might go to court and that Treasury and Resources is refusing to accept the charity’s rent until the matter is resolved.

‘It is extremely unusual that a charity would rather go to court to resist an inspection,’ said Deputy Brehaut.

‘Wouldn’t you want to say that, as a charity, “the work we do is amazing”?’

Treasury and Resources was unavailable for comment.

An HSSD spokesman said: ‘Due to ongoing discussion between the HSSD and WR, it would be inappropriate to comment at this time.’
Women’s Refuge director Dame Mary Perkins dismissed suggestions that the Refuge should be inspected.

Dame Mary said the refuge was independent from the States.

‘Our whole aim is to help those in need. The same can be said of the police, who often refer and bring women in need to the refuge. We have also signed an agreement with the police for our service.’

She said that Social Security received audited annual accounts and was kept abreast of the services the refuge provided.

She said in 11 years HSSD had visited twice and it would never object to a request for a visit from HSSD.

But Deputy Brehaut said: ‘I appreciate that HSSD staff can call in, but we want an external reviewer to call in. The Women’s Refuge fully understand that distinction.’

Article posted on 19th October, 2009 - 2.29pm