29 September 2026
Safeguarding Learning Practice Review:
Independent Reviewers and schedule confirmed
In May 2026, Executive Council approved the Terms of Reference for an independent safeguarding Learning Practice Review commissioned by the Falkland Islands Safeguarding Children Board (FISCB). The review follows child safeguarding concerns that initially arose at the Stanley Leisure Centre and subsequently resulted in the criminal convictions and imprisonment of two former Falkland Islands Government (FIG) employees.
The review will provide an independent assessment of safeguarding practice, hear from those directly affected who wish to contribute, and identify learning to strengthen arrangements for keeping children and young people safe in the Falkland Islands.
What the review will consider
The review will examine how safeguarding concerns were identified, assessed and managed, including how concerns were escalated within FIG organisations such as the Stanley Leisure Centre, Social Services and the Royal Falkland Islands Police (RFIP), and how each organisation responded to those concerns.
The review will consider whether responses were timely and consistent with the safeguarding standards and procedures in place at the time. It will also assess how effectively professionals worked together and whether there were missed opportunities. It will consider areas of good practice as well as identifying areas for improvement.
In accordance with its Terms of Reference, it will consider any relevant historic concerns and the wider organisational and safeguarding arrangements for adults working with children. This will include recruitment and vetting, professional boundaries, management and supervision, handling safeguarding concerns about employees, information sharing, leadership and organisational culture.
The review will also consider how learning from previous safeguarding reviews, audits and incidents has been put into practice and sustained over time.
Children, young people and families
An important part of the review will be understanding the experiences of individuals directly affected by the matters under review, including how they were listened to, communicated with, supported and safeguarded.
The review will also take account of the context of safeguarding within a small and close-knit community and the potential strengths and challenges this can create for children, families, professionals and organisations.
The Independent Reviewers recognise that people will have different experiences and different needs. Some individuals may want to contribute to the review, while others may not wish to revisit what happened. Both choices are respected.
Anyone directly affected by the matters covered by the review, who wishes to contribute, will be offered an appropriate opportunity to do so. Participation is entirely voluntary. Choosing not to participate will not affect any services or support a person receives.
The reviewers will seek to make engagement sensitive, proportionate and as safe as possible, with particular care to avoid unnecessary distress. Alternative methods of engagement such as submissions in writing will also be accommodated.
Review Dates
The Independent Reviewers will be in the Falkland Islands from 23 October to 29 October 2026.
During their visit, the reviewers will meet with directly-affected individuals, relevant professionals and agencies.
Anyone who believes they may have relevant information, or who would like to understand more about contributing to the review, can contact the Independent Reviewers at:
Confidentiality and safeguarding
Information shared with the Independent Reviewers will be handled sensitively and securely, used only for the purposes of the review, and treated with particular care where it relates to individuals.
Confidentiality has some specific limits. If information shared with the reviewers indicates that a child or another person may currently be at risk of serious harm, or raises a new safeguarding concern requiring action, the reviewers may need to share relevant information with the appropriate safeguarding agencies. Wherever it is safe and appropriate to do so, this will be explained to the person concerned.
The reviewers will take appropriate steps to protect the privacy, dignity and wellbeing of individuals. Save where it is otherwise necessary, at the conclusion of the process, the material collated as part of the review will be destroyed.
Learning and publication
The FISCB recognises that the review may trigger a range of emotional reactions for those affected. The review will therefore need to be carried out carefully and sensitively, with respect for those affected and for those contributing information. At the same time, it is important that the review identifies learning that can strengthen safeguarding arrangements and help ensure that children in the Falkland Islands are protected and safeguarded.
Clear, accessible information will be provided to all participants about the review process, the safeguards in place, how information will be used, and how privacy will be protected. This will include information about wellbeing support available to those who may be affected by, or contributing to, the review.
At the conclusion of the review, a confidential report will be provided to FISCB. A publicly-available executive summary will also be produced, setting out the principal findings, learning and recommendations.
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ENDS