Islington Council Terminates Trauma Therapy Funding for Child Abuse Survivors
Islington Council has faced severe criticism after ending funding for trauma therapy services dedicated to survivors of historic child abuse in the borough's care homes. The decision, described as "devastating" by victims, officially took effect on March 31, 2026, marking the closure of a specialized support system that has assisted hundreds since 2018.
Survivors Slam Council's "Devastating" Decision
Campaigner and survivor Jane Frawley, who experienced sexual abuse in Islington's children's homes, condemned the council's action, stating it leaves victims "depressed and anxious." The Islington Survivors Network (ISN), representing over 800 survivors, accused the council of cutting them "off at the knees" by failing to properly establish a new service before shutting down the old one.
Frawley emphasized the critical role of the former Non-Recent Abuse Team, which provided quick access to therapeutic help with short waiting lists. "Sometimes you get into such a depressive state that you can't even pay a bill. All it took was a phone call to the Non-Recent Abuse Team and they're able to get you back on your feet," she told the Local Democracy Reporting Service. "It's absolutely devastating to be going back to square one."
Council's New Service Faces Criticism
Islington Council claims it continues to fund "meaningful, trauma-informed" support through a new service delivered by mental health charity Islington Mind, with £50,000 allocated to the scheme. However, ISN organizers express concerns that this funding falls short compared to the previous dedicated staff across three London sites, potentially leading to a decline in service quality.
Dr. Liz Davies OBE, founder of ISN and a former social worker who blew the whistle on the abuse network, called it "tragic" that vulnerable survivors will lose access to professionals with deep knowledge of their history. She and Frawley reported that attempts to access the new helpline since its launch have been unsuccessful, with calls going unanswered.
Historic Abuse Scandal and Broken Promises
The controversy stems from a dark chapter in Islington's history, where between 1986 and 1992, a suspected major child abuse network operated in council care homes. A 1995 inquiry concluded that Islington failed to properly investigate allegations of sexual assault, misconduct, and involvement in paedophile rings by staff.
In 2017, then-council leader Cllr Richard Watts admitted the Town Hall was "culpable" for systemic abuse. The following year, a report by Sarah Morgan QC recommended that specialist counselling "must be available" to victims, warning this would be "completely undermined were it to be insufficient or time-limited."
ISN organizers said they were "absolutely stunned" to learn of the funding cuts late last year, despite earlier reassurances in 2024 that the service would continue. The council stated that funding changes were not recorded in official budget documents because the arrangement was time-limited.
Council's Response and Ongoing Commitment
A spokesperson for Islington Council defended the decision, stating: "We remain committed to ensuring that survivors continue to have access to meaningful, trauma-informed support. The new model of support is designed to be sustainable in the long term. It was shaped over several months with input from survivors themselves and partners including ISN."
The spokesperson added that Islington Mind has "extensive experience working with residents who have experienced trauma" and is "ready to support survivors and understand their needs." The council emphasized that its goal remains to ensure "informed, compassionate and safe support" for survivors in Islington.
Between 2022 and 2024, the council offered £10,000 compensation to survivors of abuse in Islington Council children's homes between 1966 and 1995. Dr. Liz Davies was recognized for her services to child protection in the 2026 New Year's Honours, highlighting the ongoing significance of this issue for the community.
