What was the Islington Children's Homes Abuse Scandal?

The former social worker's efforts eventually secured an apology and a support scheme, which has already paid out almost £1m.

• READ MORE: Intelligence 'pours in' on child abusers - but still no children's home scandal probe

Here is a timeline of how the scandal unfolded. 

1990 

Liz, a social worker, raises concerns about exploitation of children in homes. 

1991 

Islington’s Area Child Protection Committee rejects her concerns. 

1992 

Liz goes to Scotland Yard but no substantial investigation occurs. 

The Evening Standard newspaper publishes a series of reports suggesting Islington’s children’s homes have been “infiltrated by paedophiles”. 

Whistleblowing staff and children describe drug-dealing, sex trafficking and violence. 

Dr Liz Davies first blew the whistle on abuse in Islington's care homes in 1990. She is still fighting for the survivors today (Image: Ken Mears)

1995 

A report by Ian White, former president of the Association of Directors of Social Services, and Kate Hart, a former senior manager at Hampshire and Oxfordshire councils, finds Islington Council did not properly investigate allegations against workers.

Claims include: “sexual assaults on other staff, encouraging boys to be rent boys, sexual misconduct with residents, sale of drugs, poor child care, involvement in paedophile rings and child pornography”. 

More than a third of accused staff were not investigated. Others left on health grounds before disciplinary proceedings could progress. 

The report warns that abusers may therefore now be working with children elsewhere with clean records. 

Council bosses, including leader Margaret Hodge, resign. 

The White Report is forwarded to the Metropolitan Police, but no investigation occurs.  

1999 

Islington Council chases up the Met, asking whether the White Report’s findings merit investigation. 

Detective Superintendent Sue Akers says there is “insufficient tangible evidence on which to base an holistic enquiry on the scale that would be necessary”. 

The former Grosvenor Avenue children's home in Highbury is one of many where abuse reportedly occurred (Image: Ken Mears)

2001 

An internal Met Police report says that since the White Report, the force has investigated “at least five former council employees” over “serious sexual abuse in care homes”. 

“With the exception of [one],” it says “none of these suspects were identified previously, despite being prolific offenders during the period under review. 

“I suggest this tends to cast serious doubts about the thoroughness of the council enquiry.” 

To date, 12 complainants have alleged sexual abuse at Gisburn House, in Watford. 

Multiple staff have been accused from another home (Conewood Street/Park Place, N5). 

Since allegations were made about a third home (1 Elwood Street, Highbury), the report adds, “two suspects have fled the country”. 

There is “a high probability” that a “properly resourced cold case review” would identify new victims and offenders, it concludes. 

2003 

Another internal report questions the Met’s continuing inaction, saying it gives the council “a solid security policy against criticism, in that they have asked police to investigate and police have, thus far at least, declined to do so.” 

“Why did the police make this decision at all?” it asks. “Why was the CPS apparently not involved?” 

Still no major investigation occurs. 

READ MORE:

• Why did police pull plug on new investigation into Islington children's homes abuse?

2016 

Dr Davies, now a professor of social work, launches the Islington Survivors’ Network, prompting many new complainants to come forward. 

Two police officers meet Dr Davies and create a list of 26 alleged abusers. But the investigation is closed down and the Met will not say why. 

The Islington Gazette revealed that Sandy Marks, who oversaw the response to the abuse allegations in the early 1990s, had once been linked to a pro-paedophile activist group (Image: Newsquest)

2017 

The Islington Gazette reports that ex-councillor Sandy Marks, chair of Islington’s Social Services committee when the abuse was unearthed in the early 1990s, was once linked to radical pro-paedophile campaign group “Fallen Angels”.  

She initially admits this, saying she was manipulated, then changes her story, denying the link. 

Lawyers advise the council to consider whether this undermines the White Report. 

READ MORE:

• Shame of ex-mayor Sandy Marks' pro-paedophile past

The story is part of a series by the Gazette on survivors’ stories. 

Islington finally admits that, “Children placed in our care were subjected to terrible physical and mental abuse.” 

“It is no exaggeration to say that this was the darkest chapter in the council’s history,” says leader Richard Watts.  

“We are deeply sorry for the council’s past failure to protect vulnerable children.” 

He also apologises to Dr Davies for the way her own concerns were handled and commends the Gazette’s reporting. 

2018 

An inquiry by Sarah Morgan QC finds Mrs Marks was affiliated with Fallen Angels, but there is “no evidence” it “affected [her] later role overseeing children’s services at Islington”. 

The White Report is not critically undermined, she finds. 

Islington Council leader Kaya Comer-Schwartz said the authority could not 'make amends', but could take responsibility (Image: Islington Council)

2021 

Islington Council announces the Support Payment Scheme, offering £10,000 payments to survivors. 

Council leader Kaya Comer-Schwartz says: “We know that nothing can make amends for the trauma caused, but it is our responsibility as a council to try to address past failings.” 

The Metropolitan Police would not comment on why it had never fully investigated the Islington scandal, but encouraged anyone wishing to report non-recent abuse to do so by dialling 101 or visiting www.met.police.uk/ro/ocr/how-to-report-a-crime/