In a significant development, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) has ruled that the Charity Commission failed to properly address serious safeguarding concerns related to sexual exploitation within a charity, following a complaint filed by Lara Hall, 35.
Lara Hall bravely raised concerns about her sexual exploitation by a trustee at a UK charity and expressed dissatisfaction with the Charity Commission’s response. The investigation by the PHSO uncovered various failings in the Commission’s handling of the matter, particularly in its communication with Lara.
The PHSO found that the Commission’s communication with Lara lacked sensitivity and failed to adhere to appropriate standards, considering her status as a survivor of sexual abuse and a whistleblower. Additionally, the Commission was unable to demonstrate compliance with its safeguarding and risk assessment guidelines.
Furthermore, Lara was left uninformed about the Commission’s decision-making process regarding her complaint, leading to confusion and frustration. Despite earlier assurances, the Commission changed its regulatory approach without adequately explaining the reasons behind its decision.
As a result of its findings, the PHSO has recommended several remedial actions to address the Commission’s failings. These include issuing a formal apology to Lara, providing financial compensation, and implementing measures to prevent similar errors in the future. The Commission is urged to review its handling of Lara’s case, reassess its risk assessment protocols, and seek an independent review of its communication practices with complainants.
Expressing her disappointment with the Commission’s response, Lara emphasized the need for accountability and transparency in regulatory processes. She called for parliamentary intervention to ensure that vulnerable individuals feel safe reporting concerns and that their complaints are appropriately addressed.
Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman Rebecca Hilsenrath underscored the importance of the Commission acknowledging its mistakes and taking corrective action. She urged the Commission to collaborate with the PHSO to facilitate learning and service improvement, thereby preventing similar incidents in the future.
In a related development, the PHSO has initiated another investigation into a separate complaint concerning the Charity Commission’s handling of safeguarding concerns. The details of this investigation will be made public following discussions with the Commission.
The outcome of the PHSO’s investigation highlights the critical importance of robust safeguarding procedures within regulatory bodies and underscores the need for accountability and transparency in addressing complaints of this nature.
