Islington Support Payment Scheme is open and has paid more than £1.5 million to people affected by abuse while placed by Islington Council in its children’s homes

People affected by abuse while placed by the council in Islington’s children’s homes between 1966 and 1995 can apply for a support payment of £10,000. For more information see www.islingtonsupportpayment.co.uk 

Since launching at the end of May 2022, the scheme has made 155 payments, totalling £1.535 million. More applications are being processed, and people affected by abuse while placed by the council in its children’s homes are being invited to apply now for a support payment, or to get in contact to find out more. 

Payments are made through a process that aims to be as straightforward and quick to access as possible, and aims to minimise the need to re-live past trauma or the risk of further trauma or harm.  

The scheme is part of the council’s wider support for survivors.  This includes trauma support and support to access care records, work and learning, housing and welfare advice, and community, health and wellbeing activities. 

Cllr Kaya Comer-Schwartz, Leader of Islington Council, said: “We’re deeply sorry for the council’s past failure to protect vulnerable children in its children’s homes, which was the worst chapter in this council’s history.  

“The Islington Support Payment Scheme is open, and people affected by abuse while placed by the council in its children’s homes between 1966 and 1995 can apply for a financial support payment of £10,000.  

“The scheme has made payments to 155 people so far, and more applications are being processed.  We welcome more applications from people who experienced abuse while placed by the council in children’s homes between 1966 and 1995.   

“We particularly welcome more applications from people from Black and Asian communities who experienced abuse. People can also get in touch to find out more before making an application.  

“The council also offers a wide range of help to people affected by abuse, including trauma support, assistance with accessing records and advice on work, education, housing and welfare, as well as a support payment. 

“Islington Council today is a very different organisation from in the past, and protecting children from harm is our top priority.” 

The support payment scheme has been designed to offer support at every stage of the process.  

Case advisors will communicate with people throughout their application and are available to:  

• Help survivors and others with questions about the scheme and how to apply 
• Help applicants access practical help (for example with finding records) and emotional support  
• Ensure applicants are aware of their options under the scheme  

The support scheme is not a compensation or redress scheme. It sits alongside the existing civil compensation route, and does not replace it.    

It has no bearing on any civil compensation claims that abuse survivors may bring, except that, to ensure fairness and compliance with constitutional requirements, a scheme payment would be offset against any later civil compensation claim payment, and any previous civil compensation claim payment would be offset against a scheme payment.  

If you need help to make an application, or have questions about the Support Payment Scheme, call 020 7527 3254 or email supportpayment@islington.gov.uk  

The Islington Support Payment Scheme is open to applications until May 2024.  

For more information on support in Islington for survivors of non-recent child abuse, please see www.islington.gov.uk/survivorsupport 

Islington Council no longer manages any children’s homes.