Staff tell of `routine abuse'

Buckinghamshire County Council has been accused by its own staff of running a child-care regime in which the abuse of vulnerable children has become a routine part.

The allegations, which have been made by some of the most senior authority workers, amount to the most disturbing indictment of council care since the pin-down report exposed widespread abuse in Staffordshire children's homes in 1991.

Buckinghamshire social services department tried to cover up one incident in which two boys in care allegedly sexually assaulted a girl in their home. Once the alleged attack had been discovered, rather than being reported to the police, the boys were taken on a "touring holiday" at taxpayer's expense.

It has also emerged that nothing was done to stop two boys in its care absconding from their home and staying with a notorious local paedophile.

Report, page 4