Comments
Digital copy of the Witness Statement of Christine Wilson to the Inquiry providing an account of her experiences working at La Préférence from 1968 to 1971 and running La Préférence from 1971 to 1983. [Some details redacted].
| Reference | ZC/D/AW2/B3/9/WS000626 |
| Date | 31 July 2015 |
| Scope and Content | Refers to time at secreterial college and working as a secretary after leaving school before going to work alongside [her husband] at La Préférence between 1968 and 1971. Details her understanding regarding the history of La Préférence and recalls the application process in respect of her appointment. Describes her experiences of living and working at La Préférence, describes the layout of the Home and sets out details of her role and responsibilities. Includes recollections of the children at La Préférence from this period and recalls visits to La Préférence by members of the Vegetarian Charity in the United Kingdom. Describes her experiences of running La Préférence between 1971 and 1983 following a discussion with Maxwell Lee, Chairman of the Vegetarian Charity, in 1971. Details her responsibilites whilst running La Préférence and includes recollections of staff, daily routine, children and training provided by Children's Services during this period. Refers to brief period in 1975 where she resigned upon deciding to move to New Zealand before returning after a couple of months upon being asked to reconsider her resignation by Maxwell Lee due to difficulties at the home associated with her replacement. Includes comments about the admission of children to La Préférence, the philosophy at La Préférence, the schooling of the children at La Préférence, arrangements regarding home leave for children and contact between children and their families, interactions with Children's Services including with individual Child Care Officers, approach to discipline and restraint at La Préférence, and recollections of the level of contact with other children's homes in Jersey. Details events between 1981 and 1982, referring to the breakdown of her marriage and the recruitment of Ernie Mallett, reflecting on her approach to hiring staff during her time in charge of the Home. Comments on aspects of the Lambert and Wilkinson report relating to La Préférence and details experiences of receiving more children from Haut de la Garenne and elsewhere from the late 1970s, including specific recollections of some children and their impact on the behaviour of the existing children at La Préférence. Refers to pressures on the care system and La Préférence during this period. Details decision to leave La Préférence in 1983 to work at Mont à l'Abbé School, noting that she later completed a degree in education and worked at Highlands College. Comments on documents created shortly after she left La Préférence. Comments on her non-involvement in Operation Rectangle, detailing her surprise about not being interviewed in 2009. Finishes with concluding remarks about her experiences at La Préférence, particularly in relation to trust afforded to the children and staffing levels, and an overview of her aims whilst working at La Préférence. States that she never witnessed any form of abuse during her time at the Home. [For Exhibits CW1 to CW9 referred to in this Witness Statement, see C/D/AW2/A7/16/WD007342/1 to C/D/AW2/A7/16/WD007342/9]. |
| Names | Brown, Stanley Brown, Helen Carré, Marilyn Castledine, David Castledine, Wendy Chappell, Brenda Davenport, Richard Lambert, David Lee, Maxwell Mallett, Ernie Rodhouse, John Smith, Charles Thomson, Jim Thornton, Patricia Tilbrook, Colin Wilkinson, Elizabeth Wilson, Christine Brig-y-Don Children's Home Children's Department Children's Services Children's Sub-Committee Education Committee Fort Regent Highlands College La Préférence Children's Home Le Rocquier School Lions Club of Jersey Manchester University Mont à l'Abbé School Operation Rectangle Public Health Services St Helier Boys' School St Helier Girls' School St Martin's School St Saviour's Hospital States of Jersey States of Jersey Police Variety Club of Jersey Vegetarian Children's Charity Vegetarian Society |
| Keywords | abuse | allegations | caning | Charities | child abuse | childcare | Children | children's homes | children's services | complaints | corporal punishment | discipline | evidence | IJCI | inquiries | interviews | investigations | matrons | physical abuse | Police | restraint | statements | training | voluntary homes | witness statements | witnesses |
| Places | Guernsey, Haut de la Garenne, La Préférence, St Martin, New Zealand |
| Dimensions | 1 pdf file |
| Language | English |
| Level of description | File |
| Access restrictions | Closed for preservation - please consult digital copy |
Context:
Digital copy of the Witness Statement of Christine Wilson to the Inquiry providing an account of her experiences working at La Préférence from 1968 to 1971 and running La Préférence from 1971 to 1983. [Some details redacted].
ZC/D/AW2/B3/9/WS000626
A digital image is available to view online or this item is closed because it is exempt from public access under the Freedom of Information Law. If you would like to make a request please email us.