Reasons for Greenfields dismissal
Monday 1st December 2008, 2:58PM GMT.
HEALTH Minister Ben Shenton has revealed why Greenfields manager Simon Bellwood was sacked last year.
In a letter sent to all States Members marked ‘strictly confidential’ and entitled Greenfields: Time for the Truth, Senator Shenton writes that he wants to expose what he calls ‘the myths, mischief and speculation’ surrounding the secure unit and explains why Mr Bellwood was dismissed.
He said that Mr Bellwood used foul language and his management was chaotic. The minister decided to speak out after Mr Bellwood revealed details in a JEP interview about the settlement of the employment tribunal that ruled he had been improperly dismissed. Senator Shenton’s nine-page letter has been leaked and published on sacked social worker Mr Bellwood’s blog.
Last week in the JEP interview, Mr Bellwood claimed that he witnessed the Grand Prix system being used to hold children in solitary confinement for 24 hours at the Greenfields Secure Unit in St Saviour. Senator Shenton denies that the Grand Prix system was ever used at the new £5m remand home, but admits that it was used at Les Chênes, the previous children’s home.
• Picture: Senator Ben Shenton with Simon Bellwood, who has published the Health Minister’s letter on the internet
Read the full story in the Jersey Evening Post. Click here for subscription details. Individual editions are also available online.
Travel
To, from and around the Island
Airport Arrivals & Departures
Harbours Arrivals & Departures
Bus Information & Timetables
JOIN US ON...
Facebook and Twitter
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Got a story? Get in touch
KIT 4 CLUBS
Win a share of £10,000
2012 is the year of the London Olympics and to celebrate this great event the Jersey Evening Post, in association with sponsors Ogier is giving all sporting clubs a chance to win a share of £10,000.
This is Jersey
Jersey Evening Post
Useful links
A double whammy. Health professionals must be referring these ‘health tourists’ for the appropriate appointments and our health service must be paying the bills. A scandal of mismanagement.
“Health said that there had been an ‘explosion’ in the problem”. Is Health deaf to the sound of explosions? Who is doing what and when?
Health Minister Ben Shenton’s department fit for purpose?
Report abuse
Why should we believe what Senator Shenton has to say over Mr Bellwood?
Perhaps the JEP should be talking to those who claim to have been subjected to the abusive Grand Prix system or solitary confinement for long periods of time whilst in remand at Greenfields, then we’ll know the truth of the matter.
Report abuse
Why should we believe Mr Bellwood. – these “little children” had to be placed in a secure institution because their behaviour threatened others so lets stop the nonsense about the “abusive” system. Sending a kid to his or her bedroom for bad behaviour is not exactly the death penalty made out by many. Of course the political correct claim that it is the victims who should be punished and these poor little children left to run riot. Maybe this is why we have so much serious crime.
Report abuse
The Howard League for Penal Reform stated that there was an unhealthy environment at Greenfields where some staff didn’t feel they could speak out for fear of being bullied. Hence the “official” line spouted by Senators Shenton and Perchard here is only the side of the Management who would protect themselves from investigation and not from the staff who would want to object to the Grand Prix system because if they did they would fear being bullied.
Report abuse
is this the same ben shenton whose internal email making fun out of lenny harper (calling him lenny henry ) which was leaked out and printed in a uk paper? and now another email leak!
Report abuse
Bottom line…What pedigree does Mr Shenton base his management expertise on?
Foul language likely results as much out of poor hierarchcal support as does ‘chaotic management style’ to fire brigade policing. What else can you expect without the necessary support. Well done the tribunal I say!
Report abuse
Far be it from Mr Shenton to come out with half-baked rubbish that we are expected to swallow with no qualms or queries.
But it does beg the question, if this was the case, why was Mr Bellwood’s inquest into his sacking cut short … in private … with a cash payout made to Mr Bellwood?
Perhaps Mr Shenton was worried that if the inquest continued it may have resulted in further ‘chaos’ from Mr Bellwood, and heaven forbid – foul language!
Report abuse
If anyone would like to know more about Greenfields, the Grand Prix system, my Employment Tribunal etc then please visit http://www.simonbellwood.blogspot.com
Report abuse
I take a different view on this and I am now glad the truth has now emerged. It brings the whole case into a better balanced respective. This whistle blower rubbish is more like hot air now.
Report abuse
Shenton is nothing more than a bully.
Report abuse
Still picking and choosing what you want the public to see!!! I see well the letter Perchard wrote is a joke and we in the uk all know it.
You cant keep this quiet forever.
Report abuse
Regardless of how incompetent one is in their work, there are still produres to be followed when terminating ones employment. My understanding is that Mr Bellwood’s appeal was settled as the procedure into his dismissal was managed incorrectly.
There are many opinions on the systems used at Greenfields and one can argue for and against them. I would hope everyone would agree that children need care and nurturing, routine and structure, regardless of what they have done. However, sometimes they need protecting and sometimes society and the people who are working with them need protecting too. This is what a secure, and safe, facility is used for.
The fact is, that at present, children in care are no longer at risk in this island. Is this not the outcome of 2 independent reviews.
Why then can’t we focus on this, praise the staff who are working their socks off with these young people, concentrate on maintaining a good and effective environment instead of constantly knocking and damaging morale and maybe, just maybe some of these youngsters might just be given a chance to turn their lives around.
Please, isn’t it about time that we stopped fussing on about a disgruntled employee who lost his job because allegedly, he was not very good at it.
Report abuse
After reading their confidential letter to States Members I no longer have any confidence in Senator Shenton’s and Senator Perchard’s judgement.
On the managerial level I do not believe that their department is fit for purpose.
There is not enough transparency or external scrutiny. There are too many self-vindicating internal reports … otherwise known as spin.
Senators Shenton and Perchard have failed to get to grips with the failings of management.
Report abuse
Good on Mr Bellwood for speaking out. Most people in this Island are too frightened to speak out about any wrongdoings, against doctors who cover one anothers backs, the States, Ben Shenton shouldn’t be in that job.
Report abuse
Summing up after Simon Bellwood’s tribunal, Professor Upex specifically criticised the irregular manner in which “off the record” witness statements were prepared by the States. Indeed, as a result of the above, HR were ordered to hand over notes of interviews they held with Greenfields staff in connection with Bellwood’s complaint. However, it would appear that Messrs Shenton and Perchard have used those same witness statements in their letter.
Report abuse
Totally agree with Terry – these kids need to be punished when they’ve been naughty and solitary confinement is a long standing tradition – they way you’re all behaving it’s like they’ve been whipping them or rapping their knuckles (which may I remind you was a perfectly proper way to discipline children 30-40 years ago)
I wonder how much these people get paid to purposely leak emails and screw up the general population?
Report abuse
Sent to your room for an hour is punishment. Locked in for 24 hours is abuse. Anyone disagree with that?
Report abuse
depends on the crume Bruce – did you ever get grounded as a kid?
grounded – meaning staying in their room and coming out for meals… which is the most likely thing to have happened.”solitary confinement for 24 hours” is a clever play on words in my opinion
Report abuse