Collaboration Will Help Abuse Survivors Access Support

Irwin Mitchell is proud to welcome a landmark partnership with renowned wellbeing and abuse-support not for profit Seen & Heard.

The collaboration aims to centralise legal expertise and grassroots support services to deliver change for people affected by boarding and independent school-based abuse.

Both groups hope joining forces will ensure survivors get access the tailored support while also helping spark legislative and institutional; cultural change, to make schools and communities safer.

The partnership is the latest strategy in helping social change following investigation in Scotland into abuse at institutions including:

• Fettes College, Edinburgh
• Gordonstoun, Moray
• Keil School, Dumbarton
• Loretto School, Musselburgh
• Merchiston Castle School, Edinburgh
• Morrison’s Academy, Crieff
• Queen Victoria School, Dunblane,
• The Edinburgh Academy

Kim Leslie, Partner at Irwin Mitchell and a recognised leader in personal injury and child abuse law, said: “Everyone at the firm is incredibly proud to be partnering with Seen & Heard because by working together we can combine resources and expertise to help as many people as possible.

“Seen & Heard is a vital advocacy and wellbeing support service that ensures voices do not go unheard in decisions that affect lives – while at Irwin Mitchell we use our UK-wide expertise to investigate organisations, hold perpetrators to account and help secure futures for those affected by past trauma.

“By collaborating and committing in this way we hope to raise awareness and help as many people as possible to make schools safer.”

Together, Irwin Mitchell and Seen & Heard are aiming to set the standard for how law firms and charities work together to improve care and justice.

Seen & Heard has a dedicated resource via www.seenheard.org.uk which helps ex-pupils and abuse survivors, and their loved one’s, access dedicated, confidential counselling services and free online sharing groups.

Via www.seenheardschools.org.uk they offer a range of trauma-informed services to schools that include a full school stakeholder wellbeing survey, INSET and leadership training for staff, pupil coaching, and an alumni wellbeing and liaison service to ensure ex-pupils are cared for.

Chris Braitch, Director and Co-Founder at Seen & Heard, added: “We are delighted to partner with Irwin Mitchell whose commitment and compassionate handling and advocacy for those affected by institutional abuse has been appreciated by many survivors we support. They have held many institutions to account for non-recent abuse, which has helped in-turn to not only give a voice to the voiceless, but also to focus these schools on improving safeguarding and wellbeing for current pupils. Abuse and neglect at boarding and independent schools has long been shrouded in shame, secrecy and cover-up, with the experiences of those affected often being disregarded under the veil of a myth of privilege. That time is now ending, and it’s time for a truth and reconciliation for the sector to face the past fully, support those who need help to heal their wounds, and put in place a more compassionate and welfare focused school environment.

For more information on Seen & Heard visit Seen & Heard - Support and signposting