The review will be led by local barrister, Henry Toner QC who will head an experienced team comprising representatives from the PSNI, Social Services and others with a medical and nursing background.
The Minister said: “I realise that families, friends and local community are still grieving this tragic loss of so many lives and once again I extend my deepest sympathies to all those affected. I do not intend this review to cause any unnecessary further stress or grief to the families of those who died. However, if there are any lessons that need to be learned, I must ensure this happens.
“As Minister for Health and Social Services, I have a duty to thoroughly examine the appropriateness of the response of all health and social services organisations and other relevant agencies who had been involved with the McElhill/McGovern family. This review will look at the history and circumstances of the case and the extent and nature of agency involvement with the family.”
The review team has been asked to provide a report to the Minister by the end of May 2008.
“I have asked Henry Toner QC to lead this review as I believe he has the necessary skills and experience to handle the review with the sensitivity and thoroughness required. He will be assisted by an extremely able and experienced team to help him complete this work with the urgency it requires,” he added.
Notes to Editors:
1. Terms of Reference
The Terms of Reference for the independent, multi-disciplinary, interagency Review Team are:
- “to investigate the circumstances of the case of the McElhill/McGovern family (deceased) and specifically:
- to establish the history and circumstances of the case;
- the extent and nature of the involvement of the McElhill/McGovern family with a range of agencies including general practitioner services, the Trust’s social services, health visiting and mental health services, education services and others, as appropriate;
- the knowledge each organisation had about Mr McElhill’s previous conviction for sexual offences and his involvement with other organisations;
- the extent to which organisations which had knowledge about Mr McElhill’s past offences and other relevant information shared it and acted upon it;
- how each agency identified assessed and managed risks associated with key events in the family’s circumstances and whether their actions and interventions were sufficient and appropriate;
- identify lessons to be learned and recommend appropriate action; and
- provide a report to the Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety by the end of May 2008.
2. Members of the Review Team
The core membership of the Review Team is:
- Chair - Mr Henry Toner currently a Queen’s Counsel practising at the Bar in Northern Ireland;
- Social Services - Mrs Maire McMahon former Assistant Chief Inspector, Social Services Inspectorate, DHSSPS (retired January 2006);
- Nursing - Mrs Maura Devlin Assistant Director of Children’s Services in the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust and Lead Nurse for Safeguarding Children;
- Medical - Dr Sloan Harper, Director of Primary Care, Northern Health and Social Services Board;
- Police - Assistant Chief Constable Drew Harris, Criminal Justice Department, PSNI; and
- Officers from other Agencies seconded to the Team as appropriate.
Media queries to Clare Baxter, DHSSPS Press Office on (028) 9052 0636 or 07919 400248. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Office via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
