Questions have been raised over the independence of a review into failings at a care home riddled with neglect.

Lawyers representing families whose loved ones died at Orchid View, in Copthorne, want assurances the Serious Case Review (SCR) into failings will be truly impartial in uncovering the truth.

West Sussex County Council commissioned the review after an inquest into 19 deaths at the home found “institutionalised abuse from a very early stage”.

But the council was also criticised itself for being slow to act on reports of neglect at the inquest.


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The reviewis being led by former director for adult services at Hampshire County Council, Nick Georgiou.

Irwin Mitchell partner Ian Christian said: “Whilst we welcome any reviewthat promises to identify failings and draw up recommendations so that the same mistakes cannot be repeated,webelieve the horrific scale of neglect at Orchid View warrants a completely independent inquiry.

“Families deserve information about exactly what the review will cover so they can be certain they get all the answers and accountability they need to come to terms with what happened.

“We expected to receive information setting out the full remit and timescale for the reviewand howit will be made public, but so far this information has not been forthcoming and we have been left with no choice but to formally request it in writing as we do have concerns about farreaching it will be.

“We have also raised concerns about the impartiality of the review when it is being led by a former director of social services, which was one of the many organisations responsible for safeguarding Orchid Viewresidents before it closed.

We need confirmation that all authorities will be scrutinised at the same level.”

West Sussex coroner Penelope Schofield was asked to consider setting up a public inquiry but when a SCR was launched she said she would keep this option “under review”.

Nick Georgiou responded: “I thoroughly understand the distress and concerns of the families who have lost loved ones in awful circumstances. My job is to act with independence in ensuring that all the relevant agencies account for their actions in line with the remit of a Serious Case Review.

“Setting up the review is the responsibility of the West Sussex Adults Safeguarding Board and I am entirely independent of the safeguarding board and the agencies in West Sussex that are members of the safeguarding board.”

The review will cover the period when Orchid View opened in September 2009 up to the present day and take six months, with a report to be published in April 2014.