A family's trust in local authority safeguarding has been shattered after a man was jailed for trying to incite sexual activity from a child. Mark Campbell was sentenced to 18 months in prison after attempting to exploit a child.
A guardian, whose child had unsupervised contact with Campbell, expressed outrage and heartbreak over the system's handling of the situation. The guardian described the experience as "sickening betrayal" and criticized the council's lack of transparency and support.
Documents reveal that Campbell had unsupervised access to children months before his arrest. One log entry noted that he picked up two children in his car in early May. However, it was up to the guardians to discover if their child had been in contact with Campbell, requiring them to submit subject access requests.
The guardian accused the council of prioritizing its reputation over the well-being of the children. The council's response to the situation was described as "cold" and "silent," with no proactive outreach or professional support offered to the family.
North Tyneside Children's Services claimed they were unaware of Campbell's offending until August 11 and took immediate action upon learning of the situation. The Director of Children's Services, Rebecca Wall, apologized for the distress caused and acknowledged the council's responsibility to be open and transparent.
The council's Director of Children's Services promised that the authority remains committed to listening to families' concerns and responding to their questions. The council aims to provide reassurance and support to those affected by the situation.
